Since November, the Food and Drug Administration has now received between 900 to 1,000 complaints of dog illnesses and deaths blamed on chicken jerky treats from China, according to a report this week by JoNel Aleccia for msnbc.news.

saddog-iphone.jpg

As Aleccia revealed previously, three main brands of chicken jerky treats appear to be connected to the mysterious illnesses in dogs: Canyon Creek Ranch or Waggin’ Train jerky treats or tenders, produce by Nestle Purina PetCare Co., and Milo’s Kitchen Home-style Dog Treats, made by Del Monte Corp. 

Both manufacturers have said their products are safe and that any illnesses are unrelated to the jerky treats.

Since the FDA issued a warning in November about reports of dog illnesses associated with products imported from China, the agency still has not said why these products might be making animals sick.The FDA has been conducting chemical and microbial testing but apparently has not found a reason to recall the products.

The FDA has said that tests of blood from some of the stricken animals have indicated kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine) and that urine tests have indicated Fanconi syndrome (increased glucose).

Aleccia reported that Milo’s Kitchen paid at least one dog owner $100 in exchange for a release of all liability for a claim, even though a company spokeswoman said a consultant’s  review of veterinarian records concluded that the jerky treats could not be definitively linked to the animal’s illness.

To lodge a complaint with the FDA about pet food and pet products visit this link.