Watch out for jerky pet treats; some linked to illness, death

The agency says it's received reports of more than 3,600 dogs and 10 cats that got sick after eating jerky pet treats since 2007. Of those cases, the FDA says, more than 580 pets have died.

"This is one of the most elusive and mysterious outbreaks we've encountered," said Bernadette Dunham, director of the FDA's Center for Veterinary Medicine.

"Most of the jerky treats implicated have been made in China," the FDA said. Investigators have tested more than 1,200 samples but haven't uncovered what could be causing the illnesses.


"The illnesses have been linked to many brands of jerky treats," the FDA says. "The one common factor the cases share is consumption of a chicken or duck jerky treat or jerky-wrapped treat, mostly imported from China."




[link to www.cnn.com]