An outbreak of a mysterious pet illness linked to jerky treats has caused nearly 600 to die and more than 3,600 to fall sick with various ailments, even after products have been voluntarily recalled, NBC News reports.
While most cases of sick and dead pets have been dogs, around 10 cats that ate the jerky treats were also reportedly affected.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is currently at work trying to solve the puzzle of what exactly was and may still be in the treats that have killed and harmed so many animals. According to a new report from Martine Hartogensis, a deputy director for the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine, "to date, testing for contaminants in jerky treats has not revealed a cause for the illnesses."
The reports of death and illness from the treats have dropped off since January, when the numbers first spiked at 500 deaths and 3,200 illnesses. After two of the of the largest sellers of pet jerky treats voluntarily recalled their products due to "the presence of unapproved antibiotic residue detected in the products" that was not approved in the U.S., the numbers have fallen sharply.
Dogs fed the treats experienced kidney and urinary problems. In addition, there were 135 cases reported cases of the kidney disease, Fanconi syndrome. Vets are now being asked to send the FDA detailed information on blood and urine test results of sickened animals.
"We still are extensively testing treats for a number of things...but we still have a little bit of a way to go," Hartogensis said.
Among the companies that recalled their jerky treats were Nestle, Purina, PetCare Co's Waggin Train and Canyon Creek Ranch treats, and Del Monte Corp's Milo's Kitchen Chicken Jerky and Chicken Grillers.
"I think that what it tells us is that the intoxicant is something that we're not used to dealing with as a toxin in North America," veterinary clinical pathologist Kendal Harr told NBC News on why many vets are stumped by the problem.
Some owners, however, feel that there isn't enough currently being done to warn and protect pets and owners.
"They need to start protecting the American consumer so that this does not happen again," said Robin Pierre, who blames Waggin' Train chicken jerkey for the kidney failure and resulting death of her pug, Bella, and is currently campaigning the FDA to crackdown manufacturers. "As soon as a product is in doubt, a warning label should be placed at the point of sale so that consumers can make an educated choice."
Some of the products that were voluntarily recalled following the outbreak of pet illnesses.
