Phyllis Entis at eFoodAlert has written an article on the topic with reference to last year's problems and this year with Kramar.

It seems that government/industry "science" has yet to identify the source of the problems other than the product being Chicken Jerky treats imported from China.

http://efoodalert.blogspot.com/2008/12/chicken-jerky-dog-treats-fda-update.html

http://www.fda.gov/cvm/CVM_Updates/ComplaintsChicJerky.htm
Preliminary Animal Health Notification

December 19, 2008

FDA Continues To Receive Complaints about Chicken Jerky Products for Dogs and Cautions Consumers

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) continues to caution consumers of a potential association between the development of illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky products also described as chicken tenders, strips or treats.  FDA continues to receive complaints of dogs experiencing illness that their owners or veterinarians associate with consumption of chicken jerky products. The chicken jerky products are imported to the U.S. from China.  FDA issued a cautionary warning to consumers in September 2007.

Australian news organizations report the University of Sydney is also investigating an association between illness in dogs and the consumption of chicken jerky in Australia. At least one firm in Australia has recalled their chicken jerky product and the recall notification stated the chicken jerky product was manufactured in China.

FDA believes the continued trend of consumer complaints coupled with the information obtained from Australia warrants an additional reminder and animal health notification.

Chicken jerky products should not be substituted for a balanced diet and are intended to be
used occasionally and in small quantities.  Owners of small dogs must be especially careful to limit the amount of these products.

FDA, in addition to several veterinary diagnostic laboratories in the U.S, is working to determine why these products are associated with illness in dogs.   To date, scientists have not been able to determine a definitive cause for the reported illnesses.  FDA has conducted extensive chemical and microbial testing but has not identified any contaminant.

FDA is advising consumers who choose to feed their dogs chicken jerky products to watch their dogs closely for any or all of the following signs which may occur within hours to days of feeding the product: decreased appetite, although some may continue to consume the treats to the exclusion of other foods; decreased activity; vomiting; diarrhea, sometimes with blood; and increased water consumption and/or increased urination.  If the dog shows any of these signs, stop feeding the chicken jerky product.  Owners should consult their veterinarian if signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours.  Blood tests may indicate kidney failure (increased urea nitrogen and creatinine).  Urine tests may indicate Fanconi syndrome (increased glucose). Although most dogs appear to recover, some reports to the FDA have involved dogs that have died.

The FDA continues to actively investigate the problem.  Many of the illnesses reported may be the result of causes other than eating chicken jerky.  Veterinarians and consumers alike should report cases of animal illness associated with pet foods to the FDA Consumer Complaint Coordinator http://www.fda.gov/opacom/backgrounders/complain.html in their state.
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I cannot help but wonder if the treats are irradiated in China and again when going into Australia.....

DollyWad aka WickedWad really has cattitude... if only I had read how to make a movie because right after this LOL. her scream as she pounces! I could sell for horror movie soundtracks ROFL.. sheesh, she is mouthy

And Ling proclaims bedtime  

The winner rests in all her glory 

The Diva said she won 

several blurs later

Let the Games Begin!!

Well, the instruction books are bigger than the camera! (I don't know if this will work or not...)

There's no way to even look at Scooter on her stool without getting a wiggle started:

(all my kids have the BG kibble for breakfast so I'm relieved)

Response from Merrick's

No, we do not irradiate any of our food or treats items.  Our foods and treats are all natural and since radiation is not natural, we do not use this process.  We use temperatures and cooking time to safeguard against bacteria's.
Merrick Pet Care

I thought they were just having problems with the various topics in the same thread (like our Innova)...

It would be nice at this point, to have another thread opened to post what they're doing to treat the animals, effectiveness etc....what their vet said and recommended, etc.

This is the happiest I've been in 3weeks!!
Welcome back Menusux!!!!

The more I read the idiocy, the more I'm convinced they have an agenda to intentionally decimate an unnamed % of the population... to intentionally reduce the number people on the planet.. if they cared about people and food safety they wouldn't allow the contaminations and wouldn't let the businesses get away with genocide and shortening our lives or animal lives with this CWAP.  Is this a plan to reduce planet burden on resources they're addressing and not food safety? Sounds like it to me.. (yes, I'm in foul mood this morning after reading that ) Canada is the only country that adopted the WHO standards on melamine MARC.. the rest seem to be following the USA government & industries (kill them and pack the pockets of the global trade, international CEO mentality)

There's only a 10/24/08 notice of unavailable dates in Dec for some parties...... there's no additional case information.

Oh, you will not believe how funny they might be. I got 2 of the Kong Kickeroos
You should have seen the looks when they saw a "tail" hanging out of the entrance to the middle section of the cat perch. 
http://www.cattoys.com/kong-kickeroo-cat-toy.html

Or the look on Ling's face when confronted with a furry little possum (colored alot like her ROFL)
http://www.cattoys.com/opossumtoys.html

I pick up toys when I go to bed and place them in the toy box... and nearly pass out when I step barefooted on that kickeroo tail in the hallway..no screams ROFL. I should have known what they'd do to me. I turned the light on and the hallway was full.. and the cats were smirking at me.

They've got 3 of the house mouses cos they all like them...
http://www.cattoys.com/housemouse.html

Last nite Diva was playing with that mouse in their roll of brown paper. Lots of fun. Then Scooter joined her. Then Dollywad got the possum, MK got her favorite squirrel and Ling got lap time LOL...