Beware Green Tripe dog treats. Possible metal contamination.

Image: FDA.

American's FDA (Food And Drug Administration) says that more than 3,500 bags of dog treats have been recalled because of the possibility of metal contamination. These are Green Tripe dog treats produced by a Richmond, Virginia, based business. 

The treats are distributed nationwide through online stores and on the ground. The FDA announced their decision last Friday. The recall affects to brands sold by the businesses: Barkworthies and Best Bully.

Pets owners who bought the treats are advised to throw them away (or keep them as evidence) and they can contact their suppliers for a refund to which they are legally entitled and/or contact the above mentioned businesses should they wish if they feel any compensation is justified and if they don't get satisfaction from the supplier. The first port of call for refunds and compensation is the retailer.

People who feel that there dog has been harmed by the treats are advised to contact their veterinarian immediately.

Details

Product	UPC	Item #	Lot Code	Best-By Date
Green Tripe, Barkworthies Brand 7oz Bag	816807015686	2015686	WO151768 WO152373	Feb–Mar 2026
Green Tripe, Best Bully Sticks Brand 2 lb Bag	816807016027	1016027	WO152669 WO153321 WO152107	Mar–Aug 2026
Green Tripe, Best Bully Sticks Brand 5 lb Bag	816807016010	1016010	WO151401 WO152319 WO153179	Jan–Apr 2026

Company Contact Information

Consumers:

TDBBS LLC

 877-483-5853

 Support@BestBullySticks.com

Media:

 (732)-897-6727

 dcarrillo@tdbbsllc.com

US Food and Drug Administration approve a drug for cats with anaemia due to kidney disease

Chronic kidney disease may decrease a cat's ability to produce red blood cells which can lead to anaemia. This impairs the cat's ability to transport oxygen around their body. Their gums may appear pale pink or whitish in colour and the disease make them lethargic. It can lead to euthanasia or death.

It's reported that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a drug to treat this form of anaemia which is caused by chronic kidney disease. The drug is called Varenzin-CA1.

It's been granted a one-year conditional approval. This means it can be used while the FDA finish collecting effectiveness data.

The sponsor of the drug will need to show that it is effective in order to achieve full approval. They will be given for annual renewals to continue with the drug but if the requirements are not met after five years the product will be removed from the market.

I'm told that this is the first drug to receive conditional approval for use in domestic cat. That comes from the FDA.

The disease is called non-regenerative anaemia. It is triggered when the cat's bone marrow does not produce enough red cells to replace older red cells which as mentioned creates an oxygen deficiency.

We know that chronic kidney disease is common in older cats. It is often a cause of death. I'll presume that non-regenerative anaemia is an associated cause of death.

The drug works to increase production of a hormone secreted by the kidneys, erythropoietin, which stimulates bone marrow to produce red blood cells.

It is given orally and was evaluated in a two-phase study on 24 cats aged between 4-17 of different breeds and random bred cats.

It is given once daily for 28 days and it can be given in a second session of 28 days with a minimum seven-day interval. It can be received through prescription by a licensed veterinarian.

Potential side-effects are blood clots, vomiting and increases in systolic blood pressure as reported by the FDA.

The FDA and Chinese Dog Treats

This is a bit smelly. It is a bit bizarre. If you are an old geezer like me you tend to become a bit cynical when you think what might be behind stories such as the FDA and Chinese dog treats.

Elisa wrote about Purina Pet Treats Made In China Killing Dogs. This is a short follow up after I read a bit of material about it. There is a lot of information (too much) on the internet about this.

The major interest in this story is that the FDA today, 3rd June 2012, some 5 years after this problem first appeared, are still doing tests on the product to try and discover the contaminant that is causing dogs to fall ill and some to die after eating these treats.

Despite lots of reports of dogs dying shortly after eating the product, the FDA decided that the product can remain on the shelves. They have a bland notice on their website which cannot satisfy a concerned dog caretaker. In fact it makes me positively suspicious and dog owners angry. There are similar stories coming out of Australia about the same product.

They have taken the view that there is no hard evidence that chicken jerky products made in China kills dogs. Maybe something else is causing these deaths? I understand their caution but judging by the ton of anecdotal evidence the product should be withdrawn.

The cause of death would appear to be kidney failure. Kidney failure in dogs can be caused by high levels of vitamin D in a diet. Or by heavy metals or rodent killer. Any of these might apply in this case.

Like many others I feel that if after about 5 years the FDA can't discover the cause of the toxicity in Chinese made dog treats they are unlikely to ever find it. This can only mean that the food is not toxic which flies in the face of all the stories and complaints from dog owners. Or it is toxic but the FDA have a vested interest in not declaring it toxic.

Vested interests are usually of a monetary kind. We know that the Chinese government has openly admitted that there is far to much corruption in China. It permeates all aspects of business and regulation of business.

Is there something smelly going on the corridors and laboratories of the FDA? And why is Nestlé Purina®/Friskies sourcing pet food China with the horrible history that country has with respect to pet food quality and toxicity. See for example the classic: Melamin in Cat Food. And this article by VG. They are too concerned with profit and not enough with animal welfare.

Also, Purina are involved with animal testing. Or they were and I see no reason to believe that they have stopped. I don't see any redeeming feature with Purina.