An urgent warning about a dog treat that may cause ‘werewolf syndrome’ has been issued by the Food Standards Agency (FSA).
Owners were told a certain brand of bone could trigger the terrifying syndrome which is characterised by severe symptoms and even death.Â
It comes after a health authority in the Netherlands cautioned owners over feeding their pets cheese sticks and chew bones from the company Barkoo following the reported death of a dog there.
FSA said the China-made chews can cause sudden behaviour changes including panic attacks, aggression, spasms and epileptic fits.
There is no confirmed distribution of the products to the UK and there have not been any cases detected here, according to the agency.
But Tina Potter, head of standards 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.’
An urgent warning about a dog treat that may cause ‘werewolf syndrome’ has been issued by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). It comes after a health authority in the Netherlands cautioned owners over feeding their pets cheese sticks and chew bones from the company Barkoo following the reported death of a dog there
FSA said the China-made chews can cause sudden behaviour changes including panic attacks, aggression, spasms and epileptic fits
The FSA said it is liaising with European countries to develop a better understanding of the issue.
Dog owners who have already given the affected chews to their pets are advised to ‘stop doing so immediately’.
If a pet is unwell after having the treat owners should seek veterinary advice and give your vet as much information as possible about the foods the dog has been fed.
The FSA also provides advice for vets, saying they should be alert to symptoms in dogs presenting at their surgeries and whether they may be associated with the consumption of the chews, which have a long shelf life and may have been bought several months ago.
They include sudden behavioural changes such as howling, crying, aggression and epileptic-type seizures.
If vets suspect cases associated with dog chews, they can report them through the Animal and Plant Health Agency’s (APHA) Small Animal Surveillance.
