 
Background: The American Veterinary Medical Association recently has posted a Media Alert to their Web site warning veterinarians that multiple brands of jerky treats manufactured in China have been making dogs sick. No cats have been reported to be affected. A contaminant has yet to be identified. At this time there is no list of specific brands affected and there is no recall in effect, so these products are still being sold to consumers.
Presenting Signs and Laboratory Findings: The dogs appear to be developing an acquired Fanconi’s syndrome which appears to be transient. Small dogs with a history of ingesting jerky treats (mostly chicken jerky) are typically affected. Clinical signs include vomiting, diarrhea and lethargy. Physical examination findings have been unremarkable. In addition to mildly elevated liver enzymes, the most common clinicopathologic abnormalities include severe hypokalemia and acidosis along with glucosuria and granular casts on urinalysis. Azotemia is not a consistent finding.
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Testing Recommendations: IDEXX internal medicine consultants have also noticed an increase in consultations on dogs with apparent Fanconi’s syndrome. We recommend a CBC, chemistry panel including electrolytes, urinalysis and urine culture. Blood gas analysis, if available, is ideal. Additional testing for other causes of acute proximal tubular damage including leptospirosis serology is also recommended. Renal imaging, fractional clearance studies and Fanconi screens on urine may be warranted in some cases.
When to use |
Test name and contents |
Test code |
| Comprehensive renal screening of ill or nonclinical exposed animals |
Complete Renal Profile
comprehensive CBC, urinalysis, renal panel (albumin, albumin:globulin ration, anion gap, BUN, BUN:creatinine ratio, calcium, chloride, cholesterol, creatinine, globulin, phosphorus, potassium, total protein, sodium, sodium:potassium ration, TCO2 |
4 |
| Systemic evaluation of ill or nonclinical exposed animals |
Adult Screen
comprehensive CBC, chem. 25 and urinalysis |
1850 |
| To confirm increased renal excretion of electrolytes
sediment findings |
Fractional Clearance Profile 1
Fractional clearance of sodium and potassium |
920 |
The IDEXX VetLab® Suite of analyzers also offers in-house diagnostic options to test your patients. The IDEXX VetTest® Chemistry Analyzer offers panels such as the General Health Profile and single slides such as BUN, creatinine and phosphorus. The IDEXX VetStat® analyzer is available for blood gas analysis and measurement of electrolytes. Electrolytes can also be measured on the IDEXX VetLyte® analyzer. The IDEXX VetLab® UA™ analyzer and IDEXX UA™ Strips are available for in-house urinalysis. Microscopic evaluation of urine sediment is also recommended.
Treatment Recommendations: Treatment should be tailored to the individual patient. During hospitalization, hypokalemia should be treated with potassium supplementation while closely monitoring electrolytes. Acidosis may require bicarbonate administration while monitoring blood gases. After discharge, or if the dog is treated as an outpatient, oral potassium supplementation may be required. Prognosis appears to be good with appropriate treatment and monitoring.
If you have any questions on diagnosis or management of these patients, please do not hesitate to call IDEXX’s internal medicine consulting service at 1-888-433-9987, option 4, option 2.
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