Warning over dog jerky as vets caution treats can be poisonous to pets

Pet owners have been warned about the risks of jerky treats after the first cases of dogs being poisoned by the treats were recorded in the UK.

Fanconi syndrome, a condition  associated with the consumption of jerky treats which causes kidney damage, had previously been reported in pets in north America and Australia but now vets have spotted cases occurring in the UK.

The exact cause of the syndrome is unknown but it has been linked to the consumption of jerky treats - particularly in products manufactured in China.

Jerky treats, which consist of chewy dried strips of meat, are widely sold in pet stores and supermarkets across the UK.

But the Veterinary Poisons Information Service (VPIS) is so concerned about the rise of the condition in the UK that last year it began the first registry for vets to document cases in dogs.

It is the first time the condition has been documented in the organisation’s annual report, which lists the most common queries to the service from veterinary professionals.

In total 22 cases were reported in 2016 in a variety of dog breeds, from Labradors to Daschunds, with symptoms ranging from vomiting to excessive thirst.

In two of the 22 cases, the dogs were put down. One of those cases involved a dog that was euthanized due to financial constraints on the pet owner, while another was put down due to the disease's progression.

From their records of outbreaks, the VPIS said a number of different jerky treat brands were involved and the treats originated from various countries, but 59 per cent were from China. 

The VPIS have issued a warning to pet owners who regularly feed jerky treats to their dogs, instructing them to be on the watch for any abnormal signs such as extreme tiredness. 

Nicola Robinson, head of service at VPIS, said: “After reports from the US, Canada and Australia that the consumption of jerky treats has been associated with Fanconi syndrome in dogs,  the Veterinary Poisons Information Service set up a case registry inviting vets to submit cases to establish the extent of the problem in the UK.