Precautionary warning for dog chews from China
The chews may be causing sudden and severe behavioural changes.
A precautionary product safety warning has been issued for a number of dog chew products imported from China.
The Food Standards Agency (FSA) is advising dog owners to avoid specific dog chews, after EU countries such as the Netherlands, Germany and Finland also released warnings.
The warning relates to a number of Barkoo and Chrisco branded products that originated in China. Although these products are not currently purchasable in the UK, there are concerns that the product may have been available online recently.
The products also have a long shelf life, and may have been purchased several months ago.
The chews could be linked with a behavioural response in dogs that is being described as ‘werewolf syndrome’.
These sudden and severe changes include panic attacks, aggression, howling, barking, restlessness, drooling and epileptic fits. Differentials also include distemper and, in recently imported dogs, rabies.
As a result of these symptoms, some dogs have died or been euthanised.
Cases in mainland Europe have been successfully managed by ceasing use of the chews and providing symptomatic care, including sedatives and antiepileptics where appropriate.
Owners who identify these symptoms in their dog should contact their veterinary surgeon as soon as possible. The causative agent for the reaction is not currently known.
If a veterinary professional suspects that the case is linked to dog chews, they must report the case to the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s Small Animal Surveillance.
Tina Potter, head of incidents at FSA, said: “While there is no confirmed distribution of affected products to the UK, there is the possibility that some consumers may have purchased these online from international sellers.
“No unsafe dog chews have been identified but, based on international investigations so far, we are advising dog owners to avoid feeding the affected chews to dogs as a precaution. There is no evidence to suggest these products present any risk to human health.”
The full list of suspected products can be found here.
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Joanne Webster, a professor of parasitic diseases at the RVC, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS).
