Chicken jerky treats linked to mystery illnesses, deaths in dogs

We need to be so careful on the products we choose for our beloved pets.
If you have purchased these chicken jerky treats, you might want to reconsider feeding them to your pet after reading this article.

For a healthy alternative to these treats for your dog, check out: Life's Abundance Dog Treats. Life's Abundance products are made here in the USA and are made from all natural ingredients.

Chicken jerky treats may be to blame for dozens of new reports of mysterious illnesses and some deaths in dogs, prompting a renewed warning for pet owners by the Food and Drug Administration.

At least 70 dogs have been sickened so far this year after reportedly eating chicken jerky products imported from China, FDA officials said. That’s up from 54 reports of illness in 2010. Some of the dogs have died, according to the anecdotal reports from pet owners and veterinarians.

FDA officials say they have not been able to find a cause for the illnesses. Extensive chemical and microbiological testing has failed to turn up a specific contaminant and officials did not identify a specific brand of treats. They note that the reports of illness have not conclusively been tied to chicken jerky products, also sold as chicken tenders, chicken strips or chicken treats.

The new warning follows previous FDA cautions about chicken jerky treats in 2007 and 2008. But after a high of 156 reports of illness in 2007, the number of complaints dropped. Now, it's rising again.

Dog owners and vets are reporting that animals may be stricken with a range of illnesses within days or hours of eating chicken jerky, including kidney failure and Fanconi syndrome, a condition characterized by low glucose.

Symptoms may include decreased appetite, decreased activity, vomiting, diarrhea, increased water consumption and increased urination. If dogs show any of these signs, stop feeding the animal the chicken jerky products, FDA officials said. If signs are severe or persist for more than 24 hours, seek veterinary help.

Most dogs have recovered, officials said.

Illnesses can be reported to the FDA’s Pet Food Complaint site.

By JoNel Aleccia

BJ'S PEANUTTY PUPCICLES

1 ripe banana
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup wheat germ

Mash banana then add the peanut butter and mix well.
Stir in wheat germ. Chill 1 hour or freeze.

Serve in small portions as a special treat.

CHAMPION CHEESE & VEGGIE CHEWS

1/2 cup grated cheese at room temperature
3 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 teaspoons applesauce
1/2 cup vegetables -- what ever you like
1 cup whole wheat flour
Nonfat milk

Mix cheese, oil and applesauce together. Add veggies and flour.
Combine thoroughly. Add just enough milk to help form a ball.
Cover and chill for one hour.
Roll onto a floured surface and cut into shapes.
Bake in a preheated 375 degree oven for 15 minutes or until golden
brown. Let cool.

HOMEMADE LIVER TREATS
1 cup whole wheat flour
1 cup cornmeal
1/2 cup wheat germ
1 pound beef liver

Pre-heat oven to 350.
Liquefy liver in blender, add dry ingredients. Grease cookie sheet.
Drop teaspoonfuls of mixture onto cookie sheet and flatten with
bottom of glass dipped in water and cornmeal. Bake for 15-20
minutes.
You may store baked or unbaked dough in freezer.

News alert: Pet treat under investigation

The Food and Drug Administration is looking into concerns that a Missouri-produced pet treat has caused serious illness or death in dogs, according to the Associated Press.

An FDA spokesman said the government is reviewing complaints about Real Ham Bone For Dogs.

The pet treat is sold throughout the U.S. and distributed under the Dynamic Pet Products label of Frick's Quality Meats in Washington, Mo.

Pet Party Mix

Here's a fun recipe to celebrate National Dog Day . Have a doggie party and enjoy:

Pet Party Mix
2 cups Cheerios®
2 cups Chex mix
2 teaspoons gravy, dry mix, brown
1/2 cup Bacos®
2 cups Shredded Wheat® -- spoon size
1/2 cup melted butter -- or margarine
1/2 cup American Cheese -- grated
1 pieces Beef Jerky -- dog treats (pupperoni, Jerky Treats, etc.)
1. Preheat oven to 275 .
2. Pour melted butter/margarine into a 33x23 cm baking pan. Stir in
cheese,bacon bits, and gravy mix. Add cereal and stir until all pieces
are coated.
3. Heat until crisp, approx. 45 min.
4. Let cool and store in tightly sealed container.

Yogurt Pups

Try this easy recipe for a cool treat for your dog on these hot summer days:

Yogurt Pups
16 ounces plain nonfat yogurt
3/4 cup water
1 tablespoon chicken bouillon granules
Dissolve bouillon in water, Combine water and yogurt in blender and
blend thoroughly, Pour into small containers for freezing, cover and
freeze.

Dog Treat Recipe-Apple a Day

AN APPLE A DAY DOG TREAT
2 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 cup unbleached flour
1/2 cup cornmeal
1 apple -- chopped or grated
1 egg -- beaten
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon brown sugar, packed
3/8 cup water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray cookie sheet with vegetable oil
spray. Lightly dust work surface with flour. Blend flours and cornmeal
in large mixing bowl. Add apple, egg, oil, brown sugar and water; mix
until well blended.
On floured surface, roll dough out to 7/8-inch thickness. Cut with
cookie cutters of desired shape and size. Place treats on prepared
sheet.
Bake in preheated oven 35 to 40 minutes. Turn off oven. Leave door
closed 1 hour to crisp treats. Remove treats from oven.
Store baked treats in airtight container or plastic bag and place in
refrigerator or freezer.
MAKES 2 to 2 1/2 dozen

Fido's Favorite Treats

Here's another great recipe for your furry friends:

Fido's Favorite Treats
1 cup oatmeal
1/3 cup butter
1 teaspoon beef bouillon granules
1/2 cup hot water
3/4 cup powdered milk
3/4 cup cornmeal
1 egg -- beaten
3 cups whole wheat flour
Combine oatmeal, butter, and bouillon granules in a large bowl. Pour
hot water over this and let stand for 5 minutes. Stir in powdered milk,
cornmeal, and egg. Add flour 1/2 c. at a time, mixing well after each
addition. Knead for 3-4 minutes, adding more flour if needed to make
a very stiff dough. Pat or roll out dough to 1/2" thickness, then cut
into bone shaped pieces. Place in a greased baking sheet.
Bake at 325* for 50 minutes. Allow to cool and dry out till hard.