As pet owners, we all want to spoil our dogs, heaping on TLC, fun activities, and treats, which could include tasty jerky treats. However, for over a decade, these seemingly harmless treats have been linked to a puzzling and concerning health issue in dogs. While the exact cause remains unknown, there’s a strong association between certain jerky treats and serious illnesses, even deaths.
The Alarming Connection: What the FDA Found
Since 2007, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received thousands of reports of dogs falling ill after eating jerky pet treats. The majority of these implicated treats were imported, mainly from China, although product labels don’t always specify the country of origin for all ingredients.
The reported symptoms varied but often included:
- Gastrointestinal Issues: About 60% of affected dogs experienced vomiting, diarrhea (sometimes with blood or mucus), and decreased appetite.
- Kidney/Urinary Problems: Roughly 30% of cases involved kidney or urinary tract issues.
- Fanconi-Like Syndrome: A significant and unusual finding was the occurrence of acquired Fanconi syndrome, an uncommon kidney disorder. This damages the kidneys, and causes them to not be able to reabsorb nutrients like glucose, bicarbonate, and amino acids, causing them to be lost in urine. Dogs often show increased thirst and urination, lethargy, and reduced appetite. Over 360 cases of Fanconi-Like Syndrome were reported to the FDA.
Encouragingly, many dogs improved after veterinary treatment and removing the jerky treats from their diet.
What Does the Research Say?
While the FDA’s investigation continues, recent research offers more insights. A research study from 2021 involving 30 dogs that developed Fanconi syndrome linked to jerky treats, provided valuable information:
- Common Symptoms: Beyond kidney issues, common symptoms included excessive thirst (polydipsia), increased urination (polyuria), lethargy, weight loss, and reduced appetite. Some dogs also had vomiting and diarrhea. Interestingly, a few dogs showed no obvious symptoms despite kidney damage.
- Recovery is Possible, but Can Take Time: A high percentage of dogs (22 out of 28) fully recovered. However, it wasn’t always quick; resolution took about 11 weeks, and the key kidney marker (glucose in urine) normalized in about 6.5 weeks. Some dogs needed supportive medical care, while others recovered simply by stopping the treats.
- Kidney Damage: The study indicated that the jerky-related illness primarily affects the part of the kidney which reabsorb nutrients rather than the kidney’s filtering units. This explains why general kidney function blood tests might not always show severe abnormalities, even when a dog is quite ill. A urinalysis is crucial in diagnosing Fanconi-like syndrome.
- Long-Term Concerns: While many dogs recovered, a few did go on to develop chronic kidney disease (CKD), highlighting the potential for lasting impacts.
What Does This Mean for Your Dog?
The evidence strongly links certain jerky treats to serious health problems, particularly Fanconi-like syndrome and gastrointestinal issues. Given that the exact cause is still unknown, as well as which specific treats may be involved, caution is key.
Here’s what you should do:
- Jerky Treats Aren’t Essential: Remember, jerky treats are not a necessary part of your dog’s balanced diet. Watch out for any packaging that says “Jerky” in the title or in the ingredients. Many other safe and healthy treat options are available. Consider avoiding “off-brand” treats and sticking with ones from reputable pet food companies with a long scientific track record of safe foods.
- Visit Your Veterinarian: If your dog has eaten jerky treats, especially if they are feeling ill, a visit to your veterinarian is needed for a full exam and lab tests — including a urinalysis, because remember that the “regular blood tests” may be normal.
- Report to the FDA: If you suspect your pet became ill after eating jerky treats, either you or your vet should report it to the FDA through their safety reporting portal. This helps them gather crucial data for their ongoing investigation and helps to protect other dogs from harm.
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Until the “jerky treat mystery” is fully solved, it’s always best to err on the side of caution for your beloved furry friend and avoid them altogether. But, if your dog has eaten jerky treats — whether ill or not — contact us, we can provide information as to the health of your dog and any impact the ingestion of these treats may have had.
Author:
James Woods DVM, MS, DACVIM (SAIM)
Ph: (912) 721-6410
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