*** ALERT:  Smoke House Chicken Breast Tenders Treats

Product:  Smoke House Chicken Breast Tenders Treats
Produced:  In China
Purchased:  At PetSmart - Nanuet, NY
Threat Verified 9/27/2007 by Snopes:  http://www.snopes.com/critters/crusader/dogtreat.asp

Victim:    Bella, 3  years old, 4 pounds
Product:    Smoke House Chicken Breast Tenders  Treats
Report:   Bella became suddenly ill ,and now hospitalized with her life  threatened due to Smoke House Chicken Tenders.  I recently purchased at PetSmart.  It doesn't matter where you purchase them, just don't purchase them.

This  was the first time I bought the Smoke House treats.  Having read the label, it  was listed as all natural, no additives, dyes etc.  The treats were purchased on  or about August 17.  She loved them and I was happy because she typically only  likes one treat.  By August 23 she vomited bile, and again on August 24.  Her personality began to change becoming lethargic, wanting to stay in her bed, loss of appetite. excessive drinking, urinating frequently in excessive amounts.  Urine became orange like in color.  By August 28 she was severely
dehydrated and  lost one of her three pounds.

Sugar was found in her urine which would typically indicate diabetes. Bella was put on IV and given an antibiotic to take while tests were being done over Labor Day weekend.

Test results showed  "irregularity in the lower part of her kidney." Possibly a hole in the kidney  because of the malfunction.

By today Sept 7, she was no better and very low on energy and interest in being around anyone.  I brought the package of Smoke House Chicken Tenders with me to the vet because it was the only thing  that was different in her diet.  My wonderful vet, a graduate of Cornell  University, searched the Cornell Veterinarian site where veterinarians report unusual cases which are tracked.  The search was done by symptoms.  A second  search by chicken treats.

There were numerous cases on the Cornell University Veterinarian web site, all with the same symptoms, test results and yes, related to chicken tender treats made in China.  Never did it cross my mind that this product was made in China.  When Dr. didn't find complete listing of  ingredients on the package he called the number listed on the back of the  package identifying himself and asked for ingredients to help understand what  was happening to my pet.  The only thing the person on the phone with a strong  Chinese accent was "all natural, all natural."  Sure enough looking at the small  print on the bottom back of the package is "product of China", the same source  of other products that have been killing our pets.  I sat beside my vet and read along with him.

Following are primary repeated findings:
 

- severe damage  to the kidney often resulting in complete renal failure and death

- numerous  reports in the past four to five weeks, a larger number on the East  Coast

- chicken and beef treats promoted as all natural

- it does not  matter what the label is, if it is a product of China

- if caught early enough, hospitalized on IV hydrating and flushing the kidney over days with nutrients may help the kidney heal itself and the pet could then live with the damaged  kidney

- if not caught early complete renal failure is expected

- most cases  reported are related to small dogs

- initial symptoms indicate diabetes

- mold is  often found when flushing the kidney (found in Bella)

I have been in touch with PetSmart requesting them to help get the ingredients.  Time is lost analyzing the food.  Today a vet at Cornell purchased a bag after reading the report my Vet posted on Bella.  He then contacted my vet to say the bag he bought had mold in it despite an expiration date one year from now.  I was asked to look closely at whatever was left in my bag, but saw none.

After Bella was admitted to the vet I went directly to PetSmart in Nanuet, NY, told the Manager what happened and asked her to assist getting the ingredients identified.  I was met with a hostile attitude.  She was only interested in getting my name because  she felt I was going to file a complaint.  The person at PetSmart headquarters responsible for knowing food ingredients is trying to help.

The information available to vets on the Cornell web site is not public information.  No one seems to be aware of this.  Dogs are misdiagnosed.

PLEASE SEND THIS ON TO YOUR PET LOVING FRIENDS AND SAVE A  PET AND LOTS OF HEARTACHE.