The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) posted a media alert on their website last Thursday, September 13th. This alert was based on an FDA investigation into several complaints of illness in pet dogs. These illnesses are possibly associated with the ingestion of jerky treats manufactured in China. The brands have not been named at this time and as of Tuesday September 18th, there was not any information available on the FDA website.

According to a report released by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM), the FDA had ruled out melamine but had not yet found any contaminant that could be identified as being responsible for the illnesses.

The AVMA is recommending that pet owners choose their treats carefully and if you are feeding your dog jerky treats (particularly chicken jerky), watch closely for symptoms of vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. Unfortunately, these symptoms are symptoms of many non-specific illnesses, so be alert and contact your veterinarian if you have any concerns.

Watch for updates on the AVMA website.