RECALL: Salix Animal Health recalls Good ‘n’ Fun product

Salix Animal Health L.L.C. has initiated a voluntary recall of one lot of Good 'n' Fun - Beefhide Chicken Sticks because it may have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
The recalled Good 'n' Fun – Beefhide Chicken Sticks was distributed nationwide by Salix Animal Health to Dollar General and Dollar Tree retail stores.
The recalled product is packaged in a 2.8-ounce bag stamped on the back side with lot # AO15010 and with an expiration date of 03/2018. The UPC code is 0 91093 82247 1.
No pet or consumer illnesses from this product have been reported to date. However, Salix Animal Health is conducting a voluntary recall of this product.
The potential for contamination was noted after routine testing by the Georgia Department of Agriculture revealed the presence of Salmonella in one 2.8 ounce package of Good 'n' Fun - Beefhide Chicken Sticks labeled with the recalled code.
No other product is affected at this time. Customers should look at the lot code and expiration date on the product package to determine if it is subject to the voluntary recall. Customers who have purchased the product subject to this recall are urged to dispose of the product or return it for full refund.
Salmonella can affect animals eating the product and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated products.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some, or all, of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their health care providers.
Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected, but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is investigating the cause of this problem to prevent it from occurring in the future. Salix Animal Health is also working with retailers to ensure that the affected product is no longer sold and removed from inventory.
If you have these products, contact Salix Animal Health's consumer affairs team at +1.800.338.4896, Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST for a refund. Customers with questions may call the consumer affairs team at the number listed above.

RECALL: NatPets recalls I and Love and You product

NatPets L.L.C., d/b/a I and Love and You, of Boulder, Coloado, USA, is expanding its voluntary recall of cow-boom! strips – beef gullet because the product has the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
There have been no reported pet or human illnesses associated with this recall.
This voluntary recall is limited to cow-boom! strips - beef gullet that were packaged into 2.0 oz bags, with lot numbers ending in 4T1 or 5T1, a best-by-year of 2016 or 2017 and UPC number 8 18336 01134 4.
The company has notified its distributors and retailers and is taking this voluntary action as a precautionary measure. No other products of the company are affected by this recall.
Routine sampling by an inspector for the Colorado Department of Agriculture revealed the presence of Salmonella, which prompted this voluntary recall. This product is supplied by a US supplier.
Consumers should look at the lot numbers and best-by-dates printed on the bag to determine if it is subject to this recall. People who have purchased these products are instructed to dispose of the product or return it to the place of purchase for a full refund.
Salmonella can affect animals eating the product, and there is risk to humans who handle the product, especially if the handler does not thoroughly wash his or her hands after having contact with the product or any surfaces exposed to the product.
Healthy people handling the product contaminated by Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and fever. Although rare, Salmonella may result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with the product should contact their healthcare providers immediately.
Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the product and has exhibited these symptoms, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.
Consumers with questions may contact the company at +1.855.ILY.LOVE Monday through Friday between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. (MT) or via email at service@ilypet.com.

RECALL: Natural Dog Co. recalls Tremenda Sticks

Pet chews have potential to be contaminated with Salmonella

The Natural Dog Co. Inc. of Windsor, Colorado, USA, is recalling its 12oz bags of 12" Tremenda Sticks pet chews because they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella.
The recalled 12" Tremenda Sticks were distributed to retail stores in California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Missouri, Montana, North Carolina, Ohio, Utah and Washington.
The recalled product comes in a 12oz bag without a lot number or expiration date with UPC number 851265004957. Products with new packaging, which includes a lot number and expiration date but the same UPC are not affected by this recall.
No illnesses have been reported to date in connection with this problem.
The potential for contamination was noted after a Colorado Department of Agriculture inspection of the product revealed the presence of Salmonella in a sample taken from a 12oz package of 12" Tremenda Sticks.
Production of the product has been suspended while FDA and the company continue their investigation as to the source of the problem.
Salmonella can affect animals eating the product and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.
Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their health care providers.
Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever, and vomiting. Some pets will have only decreased appetite, fever and abdominal pain. Infected but otherwise healthy pets can be carriers and infect other animals or humans. If your pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, please contact your veterinarian.
 Consumers who have purchased 12oz packages of 12" Tremenda Sticks should discontinue use of the product and may return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at +1.888.424.4602, Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. MST.

FDA issues update on jerky pet treat investigation

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an update February 19 on its ongoing investigation into pet illnesses and deaths in animals that ate jerky pet treats.

As of September 30, 2014, FDA received approximately 5,000 complaints of illness associated with consumption of chicken, duck or sweet potato jerky treats, most of which involve products imported from China. The reports involve more than 5,800 dogs, 25 cats, three people, and include more than 1,000 canine deaths.
These numbers include approximately 270 complaints received since FDA’s last update in May 2014. This is a significant decrease from the previous period (October 2013 to May 2014), in which FDA had received 1,800 complaints.
Because of the sharp reduction in complaints, FDA is tentatively planning to shift from a biannual routine reporting cycle to issuing annual updates. This shift in reporting cycles does not mean that FDA is reducing its effort to investigate the cause of these illnesses; the agency continues to devote significant resources to its investigation, and will post non-routine updates if notable events occur.
Although it is impossible to determine in every case whether the events reported were in fact caused by eating jerky pet treats, FDA continues to believe that there is an association between some of the reports and consumption of jerky pet treats.
The agency continues to caution pet owners that jerky pet treats are not required for a balanced diet, and encourage them to consult with their veterinarians, both prior to feeding treats and if they notice symptoms in their pets.
FDA continues to devote significant resources to this investigation and to work with its Vet-LIRN partners to gather and analyze new information as it becomes available. If your pet has experienced signs of illness that you suspect is related to jerky pet treats, please report it to FDA. While FDA does not necessarily respond to every individual complaint submitted, each report is valuable and becomes part of the body of knowledge that helps to inform our investigation.

China denies link between US pet sickness, Chinese treats

Pet treats made in China have no connection to pet illnesses in the US, according to China's top quality supervisor, who said there has been no direct evidence found to link the two.

The General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine (AQSIQ) said tests—conducted by it and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)—had not confirmed any connection and had not detected any poisonous or hazardous ingredients in the treats, despite allegations that they were the cause of widespread illness and death in US pets. The AQSIQ didn't specify which brands or treats were under investigation.
The statement came after US pet specialty retailer Petco announced in early January 2015 that it was pulling all pet treats made in China from its 1,300 stores because of concerns they had caused sickness in thousands of pets and killed more than 1,000 dogs in the US since 2007. PetSmart Inc. also plans to remove the treats from its stores by March 2015.
China will closely follow events and hopes the parties concerned can remain objective and rational, said the AQSIQ in a statement. 

Petco stops selling China-made pet treats

Petco has announced that it has completely removed all China-made dog and cat treats from shelves at more than 1,300 retail stores throughout the US, including Unleashed by Petco stores and online at Petco.com. The move makes Petco the first national pet specialty retailer to complete this transition and affirms the company’s commitment to listening to customers and putting the health and safety of pets first, according to reports.

“As a trusted partner for pet parents, we believe this is the right thing to do, and we’re proud to take this step in the best interest of pets,” said Jim Myers, Petco CEO. “What we feed our pets matters, and this milestone supports the company’s steadfast commitment to putting our customers, partners, animals and the communities we serve first.”
Petco has not carried any dog or cat food items from China for several years. The decision to discontinue the sale of China-made treats allows Petco to expand the assortment of safe and healthy alternatives that are made in the US or in other regions around the globe that support complete pet health, says the company.
“Customer response to our expanded assortment of treats has been great,” said Myers. “And we are equally pleased at just how responsive our vendor partners have been in helping us source an entirely new line-up of high-quality, predominantly US-made treat and chew alternatives.”

Kong Aussie Sticks recalled due to possible mold contamination

Petfood product manufacturer JAKKS Pacific has recalled its Kong Aussie Sticks dog treats due to possible mold contamination.
"The products were not dried properly, so a small percentage of finished goods have gone moldy," said a company spokesperson. "The majority of the product is fine, and the mold was caught at our distribution center, but some product may have made it to PetSmart. So, we are recalling all the product at PetSmart and destroying all the product we have at our DC."
The products being recalled have item numbers of 75559 or 75560, and Best Before dates of 1/30/16 or 1/31/16. Product can be returned to PetSmart for a full refund.

China pet jerky treats now linked to three human illnesses

Pet jerky treats, mostly imported from China, are now linked to three human illnesses in addition to the more than 1,000 dog deaths and 4,800 dog illnesses reported, according to reports.

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Unfortunately, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it still can't identify a specific cause for the illnesses and deaths, in spite of seven years of testing and investigation. “The agency continues to caution pet owners that jerky treats are not required for a balanced diet and encourage them to consult with their veterinarians, both prior to feeding treats and if they notice symptoms in their pets,” said FDA.
The humans who consumed the treats included two toddlers who ingested them accidentally and an adult who may have been snacking on the questionable products, which include chicken, duck or sweet potato jerky treats, an FDA official said. One of the children was diagnosed with a Salmonella infection, and the other developed gastrointestinal illness and fever that mirrored the symptoms of dogs in the house that also ate the treats. The adult reported nausea and headache.
About 60% of the cases (which overall include 5,600 dogs and 24 cats) involve symptoms of gastrointestinal trouble and liver disease, 30% involve kidney disease and about 10% involve other complaints, including neurological and skin conditions, said the FDA. About 15% of the kidney or urinary cases also tested positive for Fanconi syndrome, a rare disease that has been associated with the treats. The FDA plans to join with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to launch a study similar to epidemiological traceback investigations used with people, comparing foods eaten by sick dogs with foods eaten by pets that did not get sick.

Jerky treat pet deaths still under investigation

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is still investigating the illnesses and deaths of several hundred dogs that began in 2007 and are suspected to be the result of contaminated chicken jerky pet treats manufactured in China.

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The FDA continues to seek leads from veterinarians and pet owners-roughly 1,500 reports have some in since an appeal for information in the fall of 2013. "We are frustrated," said Martine Hartogensis, who oversees the FDA's ongoing investigation. "It's been a long, winding, twisting road . . . [But] we haven't given up." 
The FDA says it has tested more than 1,200 jerky treats, looking for Salmonella, mold, pesticides, toxic metals, outlawed antibiotics, nephrotoxins and other contaminants. Federal officials have inspected factories in China that manufacture chicken jerky products for U.S. companies and sought input from academics, state and university research labs, foreign governments and the petfood industry. In spite of all that, the cause of the illnesses has not yet been found.
According to the FDA, the illnesses overwhelmingly affect dogs but some cats have also been made ill. The majority of complaints involve chicken jerky but also include treats in which chicken or duck jerky is wrapped around dried fruit, sweet potatoes or yams. Officials said there's no clear pattern based on breed or geography-pets have been sickened in every state, as well as in countries such as Australia-and the problems don't seem specific to any particular brand or manufacturer.
The FDA said it is determined to find answers. "They want to solve it more than anything," said Hartogensis. "I'm confident we'll get there. It's a really complicated issue, but we've got a lot of great people working on it. And I think we're getting closer."

Facebook group warning pet owners not to buy jerky treats from China

A Facebook group called Animal Parents Against Pet Treats and Food Made in China is warning pet owners about jerky treats from China that are under investigation by the US Food and Drug Administration.
The group is attaching warnings to packages of these treats in stores that read: "Beware! FDA investigates pet treats from CHINA. Thousands of complaints filed. Hundreds of deaths reported."
As of September 24, more than 3,600 dogs and 10 cats have reportedly become ill and 580 of these died from eating jerky treats, most of which came from China, said Linda Tollefson, associate commissioner for FDA's Office of Foods and Veterinary Medicine. However, FDA has been unable to isolate a contaminant so a recall for the treats has not been issued. 

Pet jerky treats not necessarily cause for alarm, veterinary pathobiology professor says

On October 22, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued an update on its investigation into pet illnesses associated with pet jerky treats from China, along with a request to veterinarians for their assistance in identifying pets that were potentially sickened as a result of consuming the tainted pet treats. Tim Evans, an associate professor of veterinary pathobiology at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine and a veterinary toxicologist, says that while pet owners should be aware of this issue and watchful for signs of illness in pets that have been consuming these treats on a regular basis, it is not a cause for alarm for the majority of dogs and cats.
According to Evans: "While the loss of any pet is tragic, only a very small percentage of pets has been affected by this strange illness during the past six years.
"If pet owners have been feeding their dogs or cats jerky treats containing chicken, duck, sweet potatoes and/or dried fruits, I would recommend they stop feeding the animals the treats immediately and monitor their pets' health. While there may not be a cause for immediate alarm, owners of small-breed dogs that have consumed these treats on a regular basis, especially those with pre-existing health conditions, might want to have their pet examined by their regular veterinarian and have some laboratory testing performed. If an owner's pet should begin to show signs of illness, such as decreased appetite, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, and/or increased water consumption and urination, owners should immediately bring their pets in for evaluation by a veterinarian, because the sooner this illness is detected, the better the chances that it can be treated effectively."
Evans says the primary illness stemming from these tainted treats involves kidney disease and failure if the illness progresses without treatment. Evans believes that while this issue has been occurring since 2007, it does not mean FDA has been negligent.
"The FDA and scientists around the country have been working on this problem tirelessly for many years, but it has been a very difficult process because no obvious ingredients in the jerky treats have been found to cause this illness," Evans said. "Hopefully with this latest call for help from veterinarians nationwide, the FDA will collect enough information soon to determine why this illness is occurring."
Because jerky treats are not a part of an essential diet for any pet, Evans recommends that pet owners refrain from feeding them to their pets if they are concerned about this illness. He also recommends regular annual checkups for pets, including baseline blood work as the animals get older. He says this will help veterinarians catch any potential health issues before they escalate into more serious problems.

Food & Water Watch responds to FDA update on jerky pet treat investigation

Food & Water Watch, a group whose goal is to ensure sustainable and safe food for consumption, issued a statement following the October 22 release of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)'s update to its investigation into pet illnesses and jerky treats from China.
According to Food & Water Watch: "[October 22], the Food and Drug Administration posted a long-awaited update on the agency's investigation into unsafe imported pet treats and illnesses in dogs linked to these treats. Food & Water Watch has urged the agency to update the public with more information about this situation for many months, and we appreciate the new information the agency posted today. But America's pets are still at risk from these potentially deadly treats.
"Since 2007, thousands of American dogs have fallen ill or died after eating jerky treats made in China. Today's update from the FDA showed a drop in reported illnesses since the decision by Nestlé Purina and DelMonte in January to recall their chicken jerky dog treats produced in China. This drop in reported illnesses indicates that there is likely some connection between illnesses and jerky treats imported from China. A recent Australian study described in FDA's update also points to strong links between pet illnesses in Australia and consumption of imported pet treats from China.
"But the source of the problem has still not been identified. And there are imported pet treats from China made by other companies still being sold in the United States. FDA should focus its inspection and laboratory activities on those imported pet treats and require more data from the companies to prove that the products are safe.
"Finally, the Obama administration needs to release the proposed rule on preventive controls for animal feed, including pet food, under the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act. This proposed rule has been held up by the Office of Management and Budget for nearly two years."

FDA issues update on investigation of jerky pet treats from China, pet illnesses

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FDA is warning consumers about the potential for illness associated with feeding pets jerky treats, mostly imported from China.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) released on October 22 an update to its investigation into pet illnesses and deaths associated with jerky pet treats from China. The update includes a description of the extent of the agency's testing and current findings, as well as a "Dear Veterinarian" letter and "Fact Sheet" for pet owners.
The "Dear Veterinarian" letter to veterinary professionals explains how they can provide assistance to FDA's investigation, requests that veterinarians report to FDA any cases of jerky pet treat-related illness that come to their attention and, when requested, that they also provide samples for diagnostic testing by the Veterinary Laboratory Investigation and Response Network (Vet-LIRN), a network of veterinary laboratories affiliated with FDA.
The "Fact Sheet" for pet owners lists steps they can take to prevent or detect illness related to the treats. FDA continues to caution pet owners that jerky pet treats are not required for a balanced diet. The agency encourages pet owners to consult with their veterinarian prior to feeding treats and if they notice symptoms in their pets.
As of September 24, FDA says it has received more than 3,000 complaints of illness related to consumption of chicken, duck or sweet potato jerky treats, nearly all of which were imported from China. The reports involve more than 3,600 dogs, 10 cats and include more than 580 deaths.
According to FDA, the rate of complaints associated with jerky pet treats dropped sharply after several well-known brands were removed from the market in January, when a study conducted by the New York State Department of Agriculture and Marketing (NYSDAM) detected low levels of antibiotic residues in those products. FDA believes that the drop in complaints is linked to a decrease in the availability of jerky pet treats rather than the low levels of antibiotics found in January, which FDA believes are unlikely to be the cause of the illnesses. However, FDA is performing an evaluation to determine the possibility for low levels of the antibiotics to cause illness in dogs when fed over a length of time. This process involves review of the scientific literature, as well as any adverse event reports and consumer complaints sent to the FDA in connection with dogs and sulfonamide drugs, and may take many months to complete. In the meantime, FDA's investigation continues to evaluate all potential causes for illness from the jerky pet treats.
While FDA has not yet identified a cause for the reported illnesses, the agency, together with its Vet-LIRN partners, continue to perform testing to help identify cases and examine both animal tissue and product samples associated with the cases. FDA also continues to work with the manufacturers and distributors of the treats and China's Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine to investigate potential sources of contamination or causes of illness in pets. 

RECALL: Nutri-Vet recalls chicken jerky treats for possible Salmonella contamination

Nutri-Vet LLC is recalling its Nutri-Vet and NutriPet chicken jerky products the pet treats may be contaminated with Salmonella.
The pet treat recall was initiated because the manufacturer of an ingredient used in the products informed Nutri-Vet of the possibility of Salmonella presence at the manufacturing facility.
Chicken jerky products affected by the recall have "Best By" dates between April 20, 2014, and October 3, 2014. The recalled chicken jerky products were distributed throughout the US via online sales and retail stores from April 2012 through February. The following is a list of recalled products, including item #, description, package size and UPC code:
•76-0081 NutriPet Natural Chicken Fillet Strips 16-oz., 76-0081 (No bar code)
•50704 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats for Joint Health 5-oz., 669125507049
•50705 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats for Joint Health 15-oz., 69125507056
•50706 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats for Glossy Coat 5-oz., 669125507063
•50707 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats for Glossy Coat 15-oz., 669125507070
•50708 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats for Stress and Anxiety 5-oz., 669125507087
•50709 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats for Stress and Anxiety 15-oz., 669125507094
•50710 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats for Fresh Breath 5-oz., 669125507100
•50711 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats for Fresh Breath 15-oz., 669125507117
•50712 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats for Senoir Dogs 5-oz., 669125507124
•50714 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats for Healthy Digestion 5-oz., 669125507148
•50716 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats for Healthy Weight 5-oz., 669125507162
•50701 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats 5-oz., 669125507018
•50702 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats 8-oz., 669125507025
•50703 Nutri-Vet K9 Natural Chicken Breast Treats 16-oz., 669125507032
•99044 Nutri-Vet K9 Hip & Joint Chicken Breast Strips 8-oz., 669125990445
Nutri-Vet says no positive test results have been found on the Nutri-Vet or NutriPet chicken jerky treats to date. However, consumers who have purchased Nutri-Vet and NutriPet chicken jerky products are urged to stop feeding them to pets and return the treats to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact Nutri-Vet at +1.877.729.8668, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. MDT.

China responds to chicken jerky dog treat complaints

The Chinese government has responded to complaints about chicken jerky treats imported from that country that have been linked to dog illnesses in the US and have been the subject of recent investigations by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Congressman Jerry McNerney wrote a letter to the Chinese government about the chicken jerky treats, asking the government to "consider halting production of these chicken jerky treats until the FDA can determine whether or not the products contain tainted material."
In response, the Chinese government wrote, "From the perspective of the Chinese side, there might be something wrong with the FDA's investigation guidance." According to a report, the letter also warned not to influence public opinion and "to clear the name of Chinese pet food and eliminate the negative impact thereof on Chinese pet food trade and bilateral relationship." 

Chicken jerky treat lab analysis released in new FDA report

The US Food and Drug Administration issued the findings of a new report about complaints of pets suffering Fanconi syndrome-like symptoms or dying after consuming chicken jerky treats imported from China.
FDA collected and tested nearly 300 jerky treat samples in the US from April 2007 through June 2012, testing for bacterial contamination, mold, chemicals and heavy metals. Although the treats were found to have some adverse effects, FDA's report with laboratory findings did not indicate that further regulatory action was needed. However, FDA figures show the number of complaints of animal illnesses or deaths blamed on the treats is now at more than 1,800, according to FDA spokeswoman, Tamara Ward.
“This does not represent all testing that has and is being conducted by FDA,” Ward said. “Additional testing is currently being conducted through other avenues.”

Nestle Purina, Walmart sued by pet owner over chicken jerky dog treats

Nestle Purina Petcare Co. is being sued by a man from Chicago, Illinois, USA, who claims his dog died from eating the petfood manufacturer's Waggin’ Train dog treats. 
According to a complaint filed in a Chicago federal court, Dennis Adkins says his 9-year-old Pomeranian became sick and died of kidney failure as a result of eating Waggin' Train's "Yam Good" chicken-wrapped treats. 
“Waggin’ Train has spent millions of dollars in promoting trust and confidence among consumers in its pet food products,” Adkins says in the complaint. “The product was not wholesome, was not nutritious and was unhealthy.” 
Adkins' complaint says that he purchased the treats on March 11 and fed one per day, in pieces, for three days, beginning March 13. He says he made no other changes to the dog's diet, but that the dog became ill on March 15 and died of kidney failure on March 26. Adkins also says in the complaint that his other 9-year-old Pomeranian did not consume the treats and did not become ill. 
According to an emailed statement from Nestle Purina, the company feels the Waggin' Train treats are "safe to feed as directed."
"We believe the claims made in the suit to be without merit and intend to vigorously defend ourselves,” Nestle says.
Additionally, Adkins is suing Walmart, where he bought the treats, for compensatory and punitive damages, alleging the companies breached warranties that guaranteed the treats were suitable for consumption.  
“At Walmart, we’re committed to providing our customers and their pets with safe and affordable food,” says Greg Rossiter, a Walmart spokesman. Rossiter says that all of the company’s petfood suppliers are required to comply with all applicable government safety regulations, and says the company is aware of the chicken jerky product concerns and is in contact with the Food and Drug Administration. 
Adkins is also asking the court to recognize a class of plaintiffs made up of consumers who bought Nestle or Waggin’ Train- brand dog treats containing chicken imported from China within the past four years and a sub-class of those who made the purchases from Walmart.
“Thousands of persons purchased the dog treats at issue, and hundreds of dogs died as a result,” says Adkins.

Chicken jerky treats from China may sicken dogs, FDA warns

The US Food and Drug Administration is warning pet owners to be award of chicken jerky products from China that may be associated with reports of Fanconi-like syndrome in dogs.

In its alert to dog owners, FDA says chicken jerky products should not be substituted for a balanced diet and are only intended to be fed occasionally, in small quantities.

FDA advises consumers who choose to feed their dogs chicken jerky products to monitor them closely for any or all of the following Fanconi-like symptoms that may occur within hours to days of feeding the products: decreased appetite; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; and increased water consumption and/or increased urination. If the dog shows any of these signs, pet owners should stop feeding the chicken jerky product and consult a veterinarian if signs are severe or last for more than 24 hours. Although most dogs appear to recover, some reports have involved dogs that have died, according to FDA.

FDA and several US animal health diagnostic laboratories are working to determine why these products are associated with illness in dogs. FDA's Veterinary Laboratory Response Network is available to support these animal health diagnostic laboratories. To date, scientists have not been able to determine a definitive cause for the reported illnesses. FDA continues extensive chemical and microbial testing but has not yet identified a contaminant. Veterinarians and consumers alike should report cases of animal illness associated with petfoods to the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator in their state or go to www.fda.gov/petfoodcomplaints. 

RECALL: Merrick recalls Doggie Wishbone treats due to Salmonella

Merrick Pet Care is recalling 248 cases of its Doggie Wishbone pet treats because of potential Salmonella contamination.
The affected treats are marked as follows: ITEM # 29050, UPC code 2280829050, Lot 11031 and a "Best By" date of January 30, 2012.
The pet treats were shipped to distributors in 10 states, according to Merrick. The company says the possible Salmonella contamination was identified through routine sampling by the US Food and Drug Administration, but that no illnesses have been reported.
Consumers who purchased the recalled Doggie Wishbone treats are urged to return the unused portion to the place of purchase for a full refund. Consumers with questions may contact the company at +1.800.664.7387, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST.

RECALL: Bravo! recalls pig ear chew pet treats for Salmonella contamination

Bravo! issued a voluntary recall for select boxes of Bravo! pig ears chews because of the potential for Salmonella contamination.
The recalled Bravo! pig ears were distributed to retailers on the East and West Coasts of the United States, between January 1 and February 28. Products affected include Bravo! pig ears with the product code 75-121 and lot number 12-06-10. The company says the recall was issued after a routing sampling program by the Washington, USA, State Department of Agriculture found finished products from the company contained bacteria, though Bravo! says it has no product left in its inventory from this batch. No illnesses to people or animals have been reported, according to Bravo!
Healthy people with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms including: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Pets with Salmonella infections may be lethargic and have diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, fever and vomiting. If a pet has consumed the recalled product and has these symptoms, contact a veterinarian.
Consumers who purchased the recalled pig ears should return them to the place of purchase for a full refund, or contact the company at +1.866.922.9222.