This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-24644210

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
FDA warns of pet illness linked to jerky treats FDA warns of pet illness linked to jerky treats
(35 minutes later)
US food safety officials are appealing for help from pet owners to find the cause of an outbreak of deadly sickness in dogs who ate jerky-style treats.US food safety officials are appealing for help from pet owners to find the cause of an outbreak of deadly sickness in dogs who ate jerky-style treats.
The Food and Drug Administration says 3,600 illnesses and 580 pet deaths have been linked to the treats since 2007. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) says 3,600 dogs and 10 cats have fallen ill after eating the treats since 2007. About 580 of those pets have died.
But the exact cause of the sickness, including gastrointestinal bleeding, kidney failure and a rare kidney disorder, remains a mystery. But the exact cause of the sickness, which can lead to kidney failure and gastrointestinal bleeding, is unclear.
Most of the jerky treats implicated have been made in China, the FDA said.Most of the jerky treats implicated have been made in China, the FDA said.
After running more than 1,200 tests, visiting pet-treat manufacturing plants in China and working with researchers, state labs and foreign governments, food safety officials are now approaching veterinarians and pet owners for more information.After running more than 1,200 tests, visiting pet-treat manufacturing plants in China and working with researchers, state labs and foreign governments, food safety officials are now approaching veterinarians and pet owners for more information.
"This is one of the most elusive and mysterious outbreaks we've encountered," Dr Bernadette Dunham, head of the FDA veterinary medicine centre, said in a statement."This is one of the most elusive and mysterious outbreaks we've encountered," Dr Bernadette Dunham, head of the FDA veterinary medicine centre, said in a statement.
Pet's symptoms have included reduced appetite, decreased activity, vomiting and diarrhoea within hours of eating treats sold as jerky tenders or strips made of chicken, duck, sweet potatoes or dried fruit. Pets' symptoms have included reduced appetite, decreased activity, vomiting and diarrhoea within hours of eating treats sold as jerky tenders or strips made of chicken, duck, sweet potatoes or dried fruit.
"Our fervent hope as animal lovers," Dr Dunham said, "is that we will soon find the cause of, and put a stop to, these illnesses.""Our fervent hope as animal lovers," Dr Dunham said, "is that we will soon find the cause of, and put a stop to, these illnesses."