Preliminary Animal Health Notification

December 19, 2008

FDA Continues To Receive Complaints about Chicken Jerky Products for
Dogs and Cautions Consumers

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to caution consumers of
a potential association between the development of illness in dogs and
the consumption of chicken jerky products also described as chicken
tenders, strips or treats. FDA continues to receive complaints of dogs
experiencing illness that their owners or veterinarians associate with
consumption of chicken jerky products. The chicken jerky products are
imported to the U.S. from China. FDA issued a cautionary warning to
consumers in September 2007.

Australian news organizations report the University of Sydney is also
investigating an association between illness in dogs and the consumption
of chicken jerky in Australia. At least one firm in Australia has
recalled their chicken jerky product and the recall notification stated
the chicken jerky product was manufactured in China.

FDA believes the continued trend of consumer complaints coupled with the
information obtained from Australia warrants an additional reminder and
animal health notification.

Chicken jerky products should not be substituted for a balanced diet and
are intended to be
used occasionally and in small quantities. Owners of small dogs must be
especially careful to limit the amount of these products.

FDA, in addition to several veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the
U.S, is working to determine why these products are associated with
illness in dogs. To date, scientists have not been able to determine a
definitive cause for the reported illnesses. FDA has conducted
extensive chemical and microbial testing but has not identified any
contaminant.

FDA is advising consumers who choose to feed their dogs chicken jerky
products to watch their dogs closely for any or all of the following
signs which may occur within hours to days of feeding the product:
decreased appetite, although some may continue to consume the treats to
the exclusion of other foods; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea,
sometimes with blood; and increased water consumption and/or increased
urination. If the dog shows any of these signs, stop feeding the
chicken jerky product. Owners should consult their veterinarian if
signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours. Blood tests may
indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine). Urine
tests may indicate Fanconi syndrome (increased glucose). Although most
dogs appear to recover, some reports to the FDA have involved dogs that
have died.

The FDA continues to actively investigate the problem. Many of the
illnesses reported may be the result of causes other than eating chicken
jerky. Veterinarians and consumers alike should report cases of animal
illness associated with pet foods to the FDA Consumer Complaint
Coordinator http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html in
their state.