A variety of brands have been named in complaints lodged by pet owners and veterinarians. In a sampling of about 270 complaints the FDA recently posted online, more than 20 brands are identified. The most cited is Waggin’ Train, referenced in about 75 complaints. Second is Kingdom Pets with 25 mentions, followed by Milo’s Kitchen, named in 15.
In the same sampling of complaints, duck products are involved in seven cases. Sweet potato or yam treats are cited in five. In three of those five, the sweet potato or yam products also contain chicken.
The illness best known as being linked with eating suspect pet treats is Fanconi-like syndrome, a condition in which the kidneys fail to properly process electrolytes and nutrients in the body, instead shedding them in urine.
Symptoms include excessive drinking and urinating and glucose in the urine.
A number of dogs described in the posted complaints were diagnosed with or suspected of having Fanconi-like syndrome, but many had other signs of illness, such as diarrhea, sometimes accompanied by blood; vomiting; appetite loss; and lethargy.
Dogs of all ages, sizes and breeds have been affected. Some pet owners said all the dogs in the house became ill, while others told of only a single dog getting sick, while the other dogs fed the same treats show no signs of illness. In two instances, cats were said to develop problems after eating suspect treats.
Since no recalls of any of the suspected products have been issued they can still be sold. In fact, as shown in the accompanying picture, the pet food aisles of our local grocery stores continue to stock a variety of dog treat brands made in China, several of which were cited in the complaints. Until the actual cause has been identified it has been suggested that pet owners should not feed their dog any products that have been made in China. And since this issue has not been widely publicized in the media, it would also be a good thing to advise any dog owners you know who may not have been made aware of this issue, to avoid those products.
