Chicken jerky flavored dog treats from China are being investigated as the potential cause for the illnesses of over five hundred dogs across the United States, accordign to a Food and Drug Administration spokesperson. Tests of the various treats of this type have been done as soon as they make it to the country but so far there have been no real conclusions on the cause of the mystery sickness. The FDA is currently looking at the chicken jerky treats for signs of several chemicals including melamine and diethylene glycol both used in the manufacturing of plastics and resins.

In 2007, melamine tainted food killed or sickened more than a thousand dogs and cats around the United States and prompted wide spread product recalls. In addition, several Chinese and American pet food executives were indicted in connection with those illnesses. So far, chemical and microbial tests have all come back negative, leaving investigators with no clear or conclusive explanation to explain the increased illnesses. So far, the FDA has received over five hundred reports about sick dogs, including over four hundred since the latest warning was issued about these products, in November of 2011.

The dogs are reportedly showing varying symptoms immediately or soon after eating the chicken jerky treats with some having minor stomach upset and vomiting while others have more serious problems that have included low blood sugar and kidney failure. Left untreated, both can cause rapid death to the dog. Pet owners are encouraged to monitor for vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy or obvious signs of pain in their dog and to call the vet if these are noted.

Because testing has not found any common link, chemical or other problem, the FDA has not issued a recall on any product but has issued warnings for pet owners to watch these products and to monitor their pet for any signs of illness. The illness that was issued in November marks the third such warning issued by the FDA in the last four years, including the warning in 2007 issued just before the recalls spurred by the large number of pets that tragically died after eating the chemical laced dog and cat foods. More than one hundred separate brands of dog and cat food were recalled after the first cases revealed melamine in at least one of the ingredients for those foods. Other foods, including livestock and fish foods were also impacted by the melamine contaminated ingredients but did not spur the large scale recall for those products.