Category: Health

FDA Provides Latest Information on Jerky Pet Treat Investigation

FDA Provides Latest Information on Jerky Pet Treat Investigation

May 16, 2014
Media Inquiries: Siobhan DeLancey, 202-510-4177, siobhan.delancey@fda.hhs.gov
Trade Media Inquiries: Megan Bensette, 240-506-6818, megan.bensette@fda.hhs.gov
Consumer and Industry Inquiries: AskCVM@fda.hhs.gov

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is providing an update on its ongoing investigation into pet illnesses and deaths in animals that ate jerky pet treats. This update includes the latest information about complaints of illnesses, FDA’s collaboration with the CDC on a new case control study, and new findings revealed through the agency’s testing. Unfortunately, FDA has still not been able to identify a specific cause for the reported illnesses or deaths.

Case numbers: Since FDA’s last update on October 22, 2013, we have received approximately 1,800 additional case reports. As of May 1, 2014, we have received in total more than 4,800 complaints of illness in pets that ate chicken, duck, or sweet potato jerky treats, nearly all of which are imported from China. The reports involve more than 5,600 dogs, 24 cats, three people, and include more than 1,000 canine deaths. The breakdown of symptoms associated with the cases is similar to that of earlier reports: approximately 60 percent of the cases report gastrointestinal/liver disease, 30 percent kidney or urinary disease, with the remaining 10 percent of complaints including various other signs such as neurologic, dermatologic, and immunologic symptoms. About 15 percent of the kidney or urinary cases also tested positive for Fanconi syndrome, a rare kidney disease that has been associated with this investigation.
Response to Dear Veterinarian Letter: Following an October 2013 request for veterinarians to share case information, the agency received many well-documented case reports that have and continue to provide us with valuable information that is assisting in our ongoing investigation. Out of this effort, FDA has had the opportunity to perform necropsies (post-mortem examinations) on 26 dogs, 13 of which appeared to have causes of death not related to consumption of jerky pet treats. Of the remaining 13 cases, an association with consumption of jerky pet treats could not be ruled out. Eleven of these dogs had indications of kidney disease and two involved gastrointestinal disease. Continue reading FDA Provides Latest Information on Jerky Pet Treat Investigation

Outbreak of canine parvovirus : Los Angeles County

Outbreak of canine parvovirus : Los Angeles County
According to the county Department of Animal Care and Control, 162 cases of parvovirus have been reported in Los Angeles County this year [2014], with 70 of them coming from Lancaster and Palmdale alone. Half of these cases were in the April, puppies were mostly affected.

Although the disease is most commonly seen in young puppies, parvovirus can affect unvaccinated dogs of any age. All county
residents are urged to keep puppies and dogs safe by not letting them outside of your fenced yard until they have received their
vaccinations and are protected from the virus. “In springtime, you get a lot of newborns during that time and there’s an increase in susceptible hosts,” Maria Sabio-Solacito, the head veterinarian for animal care and control tells LA Times. Continue reading Outbreak of canine parvovirus : Los Angeles County

FDA Approves First Oral Drug for Fleas and Ticks in Dogs with Three Month Duration

Approval marks second animal drug approval under collaborative initiative with Canada

June 3, 2014

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) announced today the approval of BRAVECTO (fluralaner) Chewable Tablets for Dogs, the first oral flea and tick medication that lasts up to 12 weeks. The drug treats and prevents fleas for 12 weeks; treats and controls three types of ticks—the brown dog tick, American dog tick and deer tick—for 12 weeks; and treats and controls the lone star tick for 8 weeks.

The approval of BRAVECTO is in cooperation with Health Canada’s Veterinary Drugs Directorate (VDD), under the Regulatory Cooperation Council (RCC) joint initiative which aims to better align the approval process for these products. While maintaining safety standards, the RCC is intended to speed access to products, eliminate duplication, and reduce regulatory obstacles that can slow trade and investment opportunities as well as add costs to manufacturers and consumers. Under this initiative, FDA and VDD allow simultaneous submissions and collaborative reviews where possible, while maintaining each country’s right to decide whether or not products will be approved for its market.

The product is being marketed by Intervet Inc. and requires a valid prescription from a veterinarian for its use.

Lamb Crunchys Dog Treats Recalled

Los Angeles treat manufacturer Pet Center Inc. has voluntarily recalled a limited number of 3-ounce bags of Lamb Crunchys because of potential salmonella contamination.

The dog treats were distributed in California, Colorado, Washington state and Wisconsin through the Gelson’s Market chain and three wholesalers: General Pet Supply, Nor-Sky Pet Supply Distributors and Independent Pet Supply.

The Colorado Department of Agriculture detected salmonella in a random sample, the manufacturer reported.

No pet or human illnesses have been linked to Lamb Crunchys, which are made from dehydrated lamb lungs. Symptoms of salmonella poisoning in pets include lethargy, diarrhea, fever and vomiting. People who handle contaminated pet products may exhibit similar symptoms.

The U.S.-made treats come in 3-ounce, 8-ounce and 1-pound bags, but only the smallest size is affected. The recalled bags show the UPC number 727348200038 and a date code of 122015.

Any of the recalled treats may be returned to the place of purchase for a refund. The company is fielding questions at 800-390-0575 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Pacific time Monday through Friday.

Science Diet Recall

Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. Voluntarily Recalls 62 Bags of “Science
Diet® Adult Small & Toy Breed™” Dry Dog Food in California,
Hawaii and Nevada Because of Potential Health Risk

Contact
Consumer:
1-800-445-5777
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 2, 2014 – Hill’s Pet Nutrition, Inc. of Topeka, KS is voluntarily recalling 62 bags of Science Diet® Adult Small & Toy Breed™ dry dog food as they have the potential to be contaminated with Salmonella. The suspect product, part of a single production run, was distributed to 17 veterinary clinic and pet store customers in California, Hawaii and Nevada between April 24 and May 13, 2014. Salmonella can affect animals eating the products and there is risk to humans from handling contaminated pet products, especially if they have not thoroughly washed their hands after having contact with the products or any surfaces exposed to these products.

Healthy people infected with Salmonella should monitor themselves for some or all of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, diarrhea or bloody diarrhea, abdominal cramping and fever. Rarely, Salmonella can result in more serious ailments, including arterial infections, endocarditis, arthritis, muscle pain, eye irritation, and urinary tract symptoms. Consumers exhibiting these signs after having contact with this product should contact their healthcare providers. Continue reading Science Diet Recall