http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/custom/consumer/sfl-flhlpjerky1103nbnov03,0,3804945.story Safety concerns lead to feeding suggestions for jerky pet treats
South Florida Sun Sentinel November 3, 2007
"Consumers purchasing chicken jerky pet treats soon may notice something different on the package labels: suggestions on how many such snacks a day they can safely give to their dogs.
"Some manufacturers and retailers, responding to complaints that Chinese-made treats were making dogs sick, are developing feeding instructions tailored to an animal's weight, similar to what is required on pet foods designed to be a primary nutrition source. The move is based on anecdotal reports that owners were overfeeding the treats or using them in place of regular pet food, manufacturers said. "The problem with high-protein treats is that dogs really, really like them because they taste good. I may like hamburgers for the same reason, but I shouldn't eat 10 of them a day," said Jerry Peters, president of ADI Pet Inc., makers of Waggin' Train brand jerky treats.The company plans to phase in size-based feeding instructions "almost immediately," Peters said, and he thinks others in the industry will be doing the same. [/color]
"But some suggest the move may be premature. Continuing investigations by the Food and Drug Administration and a Cornell University team, which began about two months ago, have uncovered nothing dangerous in the products and have not definitively tied a spike in cases of a rare kidney disorder to the treats. The FDA has not requested any recalls of jerky treats. But the investigation is not yet completed.
And there is no scientific evidence that suggests overfeeding is a factor.""Making changes without a solid basis for the changes at best would be ineffective; at worst, it could … magnify a problem a problem if a problem does exist," said David Syverson, pet food committee chairman for the American Association of Feed Control Officers, in an e-mail. The organization, comprised of state officials, develops model regulations for pet food labeling, ingredients and processing that then are adopted by most states.
"The association's guidelines require cat and dog foods to be "complete and balanced," and for feeding instructions to be printed on the packaging so that the animal has adequate nutrition. But such instructions are not required for treats or snacks unless they are "complete and balanced." Most are not, Syverson said, "since treats are really junk food for pets, in a manner of speaking."
"The American Veterinary Medical Association became concerned about the treats in August, as growing numbers of veterinarians were reporting cases of
Fanconi syndrome, a rare kidney disease. Most of the dogs were small and
had eaten chicken-flavored jerky treats. "The association, which represents 75,000 vets, issued a statement notifying consumers about the trend and advising them to watch for signs of renal problems. Spokesman Michael San Filippo said the association heard of one owner who had been almost exclusively feeding jerky rather than food, convinced the treats contained more natural ingredients and were healthier.
"China is a primary source of chicken jerky pet products, as dark meat is more popular than white in that country for human consumption. Treats manufactured there usually are stamped "made in China." "Tainted wheat gluten from China was blamed for the largest pet food recall in history earlier this year and involved Canadian manufacturing giant Menu Foods. More than 100 brands were recalled, including some treats and snacks, after they were found to contain melamine, a plastics component.
"National retailer PetSmart, which in September voluntarily pulled two brands of jerky treats made in China from shelves, restocked them two weeks ago after its own analysis turned up no problems with the products. But the company developed feeding guidelines in conjunction with Smokehouse Pet Products and veterinarians, said PetSmart spokeswoman Jennifer Ericsson, based on animal size and the type of treat."The table is posted now in stores and will be printed on Smokehouse labels by early next year, she said.
"Officials with Wal-Mart, the discount chain that removed two brands of Chinese-made jerky treats in July, said the company has no plans to restock those items. One was from Shanghai Bestro Trading and one from Import-Pingyang Pet Product Co. (Note--Pingyang Pet Product & Shanghai Bestro are different names for the same company.)
"The FDA reported about a month ago that it had received 70 jerky treat complaints involving 95 dogs, including an unspecified number of deaths. The agency was not able to provide an updated total.
"Dr. Richard Goldstein, a Cornell professor of veterinary medicine and part of the investigative team, said he continues to regularly receive Fanconi syndrome reports from veterinarians, although some of the dogs may have been diagnosed earlier. Symptoms of renal problems include vomiting, lethargy and lack of appetite.
http://www.sun-sentinel.com/business/sfl-flhlpjerkybox1103nbnov03,0,12986.storyInvestigations continue on whether jerky treats made in China are causing kidney problems in dogs.
"Most suspected cases are in small dogs.
"PetSmart stores are posting feeding recommendations for Smokehouse treats, based on dog size and product. "Maximum daily Smokehouse amounts for dogs under 12 pounds:one-half piece of chicken tenders, or duck and sweet potato tenders;
two pieces of chicken-breast tender snacks, duck tenders or chicken poppers;
and four pieces of chicken or duck chips.
"For details on larger dogs, consult the product labels. Amounts may vary for other brands, and according to animal health and other conditions."There have been no recalls of pet jerky treats and there is
no scientific evidence that overfeeding causes renal symptoms.
"Renal symptoms include lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, excessive thirst and urination, abdominal pain.
"Seek immediate veterinary attention if symptoms occur.
"Report suspicious cases to the Food and Drug Administration. Go to
www.fda.gov or call 888-463-6332."
Interesting that Smokehouse is setting limits on only its MIC treats--we'd heard that their turkey ones were US made.
http://itchmoforums.com/your-problems-with-pet-food/chicken-jerky-strips-from-china-t1693.0.html;msg25992#msg25992“thx for that list on the smokehouse treats.
I have a bag of turkey breast from the same company but bag states Made In U.S.A”.I see nothing here about them, nor do I see medical issues having been brought up re: sweet potato and (formally) duck treats, but here's Smokehouse setting limits on them as well.
http://www.itchmo.com/smokehouse-brand-dog-treats-pulled-from-petsmart-shelves-2869“Here is the SKU list of the Smokehouse Brand dog treats that have been pulled off of PetSmart shelves:
7856525052 5108696 Chicken Chips 1lb.
7856525053 5108692 Chicken Chips 8oz.
7856525092 5108693 Chicken Poppers 8oz.
7856525093 5108698 Chicken Poppers 1lb.
7856525134 5108691 Chicken Tenders 8oz.
7856525137 5126536 Chicken Breast Tender Snacks 1lb.
7856525138 5126535 Chicken Tenders 2lb.
7856584255 5126702 Duck Breast Tenders 8oz.
7856584256 5126534 Duck Breast Tenders 1lb.
7856584257 5126532 Duck Chips 1lb.
7856584258 5126531 Duck and Sweet Potato 1lb.
7856585808 5108695 Chicken Tenders 1lb.”All Made in China. Now let’s compare which products now have “feeding guidelines”--all of those which PetSmart removed from their shelves and are Made In China.
http://www.smokehousepet.com/index.shtmlhttp://www.smokehousepet.com/about.htmTheir "About Us" page is blank.
http://www.smokehousepet.com/applications.htmWhere one can apparently sign up to sell these treats.
http://www.smokehousepet.com/contact.htm11850 Sheldon St.
Sun Valley, Ca. 91352 U.S.A.
Phone: 877-699-PETS
Fax: 818-771-9258
E-mail:
lisa@smokehousepet.comSo where does Smokehouse get the treats it sells?
http://www.alibaba.com/company/10184268.htmlAliBaba Wanted to Buy
"We are a processor of high quality natural dog treats, ie. Pig ears, pig skins, beef and pork bones and other beef, pork, lamb, chicken, and venison products. We sell direct to all the major pet store chains, many major grocery store chains, several specialty store chains and well over 1200 pet shops. We are interested in using our vast customer base and marketing abilities to bring new products to our customers.
We are specifically interested in dried chicken treats. We also have interest in all other pet products.
Company Name: smokehouse pet products
Product/Service: Dog treats, beef, pork, lamb
Company Address: 11850 sheldon st, los angeles, California, United States
Legal Representative/Business Owner: zelko majstorich
http://www.healthatoz.com/healthatoz/Atoz/common/standard/transform.jsp?requestURI=/healthatoz/Atoz/ency/fanconis_syndrome.jsp Fanconi's--humans
Causes
"Environmental assaults that cause Fanconi's syndrome include exposure to heavy metals (like cadmium, lead, mercury, platinum, uranium), certain drugs (like outdated tetracycline and gentamicin), other substances (like Lysol, paraquat, toluene, the amino acid lysine taken as a nutritional supplement ), and kidney transplantation.
http://www.vet.uga.edu/vpp/clerk/davis/index.phpFanconi's Syndrome in Dogs
"Fanconi's syndrome is an inherited disease that affects the proximal renal tubule and causes abnormalities in sodium, glucose, calcium, phosphate and amino acid retention, sometimes leading to fatal disturbances in acid-base balance. 1,2,3
The disease can also be mimicked by certain toxins and drugs that affect the proximal renal tubule and interrupt normal functioning.4,5 "Epidemiology
"Fanconi's syndrome appears to have a
hereditary predisposition for Basenjis as well as Norwegian Elkhounds. Other breeds that are
predisposed (to a lesser degree) are Shetland sheepdogs and Schnauzers . The onset of the disease is not until later in life (3-11 yrs of age in Basenjis), and thus affected dogs may have been bred before diagnosis, passing on the genetic trait.6 Approximately 10% of adult Basenjis have Fanconi's syndrome. 6
The acquired form of Fanconi's syndrome can be caused by heavy metal poisoning (lead, mercury, cadmium and uranium). Drugs such as a gentamicin,5 cephalosporins, outdated tetracycline, cisplatin, and streptozotocin can cause proximal renal tubule resorption abnormalities. 4 Chemicals such as Lysol® and maleic acid also have been reported to cause the syndrome.4 Renal cystic disease and neoplasia,3 including multiple myeloma and monoclonal gammopathies, also have been found to cause acquired Fanconi's syndrome. 4"
http://www.emedicine.com/ped/topic756.htm"Fanconi Syndrome
Evidence supporting a role for alterations in tubule membrane permeability in the pathogenesis of Fanconi syndrome is limited. The luminal membrane permeability may increase in
the maleic acid model and in animals injected with succinylacetone , the presumed toxin in tyrosinemia and another cause of Fanconi syndrome in humans.
"Fanconi syndrome can be
primary (inherited) or secondary (acquired). The only exception to this rule is the idiopathic form of the syndrome.
"The idiopathic Fanconi syndrome occurs in the absence of any identifiable cause, and most cases are sporadic."Several inborn errors of amino acid or carbohydrate metabolism are associated with Fanconi syndrome-
"Galactosemia, Cystinosis, Hereditary fructose intolerance, Tyrosinemia
"A multitude of toxic and immunologic factors can impair proximal tubule function, resulting in a Fanconi syndrome. Prominent among these factors is exposure to heavy metals, such as cadmium, lead, mercury, platinum, and uranium. Rarely, Chinese herbs have been reported to cause Fanconi syndrome. Lead intoxication is the only heavy metal exposure that is encountered in children.
"Fanconi syndrome has also been reported to occur as a result of drug ingestion. Well-recognized ingestions include those with outdated tetracycline and aminoglycoside antibiotics, such as gentamicin.
"Tetracycline toxicity is probably caused by anhydro-4-epitetracycline, a degradation product that is formed when the drug is stored for long periods or kept in a moist environment. The metabolite decreases oxidative metabolism and energy production.
"Aminoglycosides accumulate in proximal tubule cells, but the mechanism of action has not been identified.
"Cisplatin, ifosfamide, and 6-mercaptopurine are chemotherapy agents that can cause Fanconi syndrome.
"Valproic acid, commonly used as an antiepileptic drug, may rarely induce severe Fanconi syndrome.
"Tenofovir, a nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitor used in the treatment of HIV infection, has been reported to cause Fanconi syndrome.http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/pagerender.fcgi?artid=1206001&pageindex=1http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=1206001&blobtype=pdfMaleic acid-induced inhibition of amino acid transport in rat kidney
Biochem J. 1964 August; 92(2) : 345–352.
Reference made to the 1950 Berliner, Kennedy & Hilton study (not available online at PubMed) re: dogs given maleic acid and their inability to acidify their urine. Page 345 refers to this and talks about the similarity of their findings re: rats to those in humans diagnosed with Fanconi's syndrome. Page 352--summary--suggests that maleic acid alters renal tubular transport.
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih .gov/pagerender.fcgi?artid=349352&pageindex=1#page
http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/picrender.fcgi?artid=349352&blobtype=pdfProline and glucose transport by renal membranes from dogs with spontaneous idiopathic Fanconi syndrome.
When this occurs idiopathically, it means there's nothing which can be pinpointed as to the cause of the illness. The dogs in the study were Basenjis, who are prone to developing Fanconi's, as are some other breeds, due to their heredity. If the disease isn't inherited, it's then classed as acquired.
Page 7772 refers to heavy metal poisoning as a cause for acquired Fanconi's. It also says that Fanconi's disappears when the factors causing it are corrected--dietary galactose (genetic flaw), (heriditary fructose intolerance) fructose, tyrosine (genetic flaw), or heavy metal. It also refers to the maleic acid study above. OK--we see that it can be in the genes as inherited, acquired-possibility #1 because of another disease, or acquired-possibility #2 because of something ingested. If you can rule out genetic or caused by other diseases, this leaves us with something ingested. See nothing re: dogs or humans which says Fanconi's is a result of nutritional deficiencies. Common sense says that overfeeding would cause nutritional deficiences since this is not presented as a balanced diet. And if nutritional deficiencies don't cause Fanconi's (no references to it being caused by that), then in the absense of heredity and other diseases, it has to be something ingested.
What the feeding guidelines appear to be is a shuffle around things to con people into believing it's safe to feed these MIC treats--a bunch of BS. Privately, there has to be some sort of toxin and all that's being done by the feeding guidelines is to slow down the amount of toxin put into the system. Slowing it down, doesn't make it safe as with feeding it less, Fanconi's can still develop but it may take longer to surface.
Feeding Guidelines for Made in China treats are the equivalent of the melamine dilution factor.
