The $1500.00 Dog Biscuit

This is the type of dog treat that made Wookie so sick. IAMS tartar treats are allegedly 100% edible and digestible. And... supposedly, they are also hard enough that they won't break into chunks large enough to disrupt digestion.

The treats puff up when they get wet, so Wookie had two 1" x 1.5" pieces, floating around (chewed - but undigested) in his stomach for nine days. The pieces resembled wet particle board. The "treat" caused him diarrhea, vomiting and severe abdominal pain. He lost over 10% of his body weight in a week and is still an inpatient at Virginia Tech's teaching hospital.

So far, we've spent $1500.00 and made seven vet visits. (and even now... we're not 100% sure he's OK)

If you have dogs... please think twice about giving them these treats. It just isn't worth the risk.

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Comments

samantha s. says:

!!! Poor guy! This is why I am scared to give my pug anything other than his food, sadly enough. :(
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

amethystrainn says:

That is such a shame that a company's false advertising cost you this much anxiety and money, not to mention how poor Wookie must be feeling. Has he been able to keep his meals down from yesterday?

It is good you are warning people about this. No one should have to go through what you and Wookie have. Prayers for his recuperation.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Ann's wild animals- off for swim team duties- says:

I hope Wookie gets back to his normal self real fast and it's a shame that he had to go through all this pain and suffering along with you all , for this treat !
I had given my dog who's 100 lbs , 2 of these treats and thank God , he never had any of these problems . I won't do it again !
Thank you for warning us , and on a last issue , would you be able to bring this up with IAMS with the help of your vet ? I think they owe you more than an apology for what poor Wookie is going through , still !
The most important part is for him to get well now and we are praying for this ! Hang in there !
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Alan Hostetler says:

IAMS should certainly be paying the cost for this.
Hope the little guy gets better.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

loopykd says:

Oh my gosh! After all that. Unbelievable! I hope that's what it was and all is well now. Good luck and prayers to you and Wookie for a speedy recovery.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

(Βαγγελης) Vangelis Photography says:

Hopefully he will get better!
Thank you for your nice words while i was away! Thank you!!!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

The Rat Bat says:

thanks for the advice, and i'm sorry it had to come at such a steep price to you...in more ways than one....
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Jason Shukis says:

I'm very happy that it sounds like Wookie is going to be okay. I got a little choked up when i read about how he screamed in pain when you tried to touch/pick him up :-(.....i think i would start bawling my eyes out at that point. And i know this is a secondary concern and you just care about Wookie, but i'm sorry about the huge vet bill. You wouldn't happen to have pet insurance would you?

I can already predict IAMS' response, but depending on the vet's final analysis I do hope when the dust settles a little and Wookie gets into his recovery, that you will be drafting a detailed letter........
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

[Christine] says:

Well... we're on our way to pick Wookie up from Virginia Tech! He's going to be discharged in less than four hours. His vet team told us he is doing very well!

Jason, regarding pet insurance... we used to have it years ago, but dropped it after a bad experience with them failing to cover something. But... that's a story for another time!

I can't wait to see the little guy! I sure have missed him.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Odie - Odysseus of the Doggie World says:

Oh, I first commented on the other photo and didn't see this one. I'm so glad he's doing well and coming home! Sweet baby - he's been through a lot... Thank you for all this information, Christine! I think you should post this information in as many groups as possible. In fact, you are welcome to open a thread and post this photo at Dog Expressions, if you like. Sorry for all the money you had to spend, but at least sweet Wookie is finally OK, and like I said in my comments to the other photo, this information can help save many dogs' lives. But today, you deserve some quiet time with Wookie - give him kisses and hugs for me, too.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

[Christine] says:

Gosh... when will this be over! Right as we were getting ready to get on the interstate, the vet called and said that their chief of radiology saw a few "areas of concern" on Wookie's x-rays.

She says their fairly sure it's just gas, but they don't want to discharge him until they are 100% certain that Wookie does not have any type of obstruction whatsoever. She asked if they could keep him another day, and do another x-ray in the morning.

She told us that, clinically, he is doing beautifully! He's been eating like a horse, having very normal stools, and acting like a bundle of happy energy. She said, based on observation, he appears to be perfectly fine. But... there still is that chance.

I really do appreciate how careful they are being, but I also miss Wookie terribly!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Doggie Luver says:

Wookie come home!!!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Jason Shukis says:

I never thought I'd be so excited to hear that Wookie has normal stools :-) You are sure having a crazy week.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

robueno says:

ohh god =(

Wookie, I hope you get better soon.
good lucky.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Velvet_ says:

Poor Wookie! You'll get better soon! = )
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

vx163 says:

I'm sure Wookie misses his parents terribly too!
Wookie's been eating like a horse and having very normal stools, I'm so glad to hear that, that's wonderful news.
I have a 8 years old Pug and a 15 years old Maltese, thanks to you, Christine, I'll never give my children that IAMS treats.
I pray that Wookie will keep making progress and come home tomorrow!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

snowy4052002 says:

Yes, I never give these or greenies as neither are safe. I am sorry that Wookie and you have to go through all of this.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

marliestiffany says:

So sorry to hear this. It is so hard when our pets suffer and especially because of something we gave them in good faith.
I heard the very same about greenies and if you go on google I am sure you can find lots on it. The pieces are so hard they cannot be digested or can also get stuck in the throat. I know I bought some greenes for dogs as treats and just felt terrible that they could have been hurt because of it. Thanks for letting us all know . Yes, they definetly should pay.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Ranabass says:

I was outside with my Taun-Taun today, thinking 'I wonder if Wookie is feeling better?'. I am SO sorry to hear the news of that indigestible being involved.

I hope all is well SOON.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

OringeJellow says:

awwwww poor guy .......sure hope he'll be well again soon ...so sorry for all your worries......I had known of these when we had a dog a few years ago.....and stayed away from them ....also 'greenies' brand is not safe
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Defensor Fortis says:

Awwwwwwwww....pooooooooooooooooor little guy....WE WISH YOU THE BEST LITTLE MAN...GET BETTER SOOOOOOOOON!!!!!!!!

The DF Pack!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Deb Snelson says:

Thanks for warning all of us about the dangers of this type treat. I understand the agravation you feel about labels that say "safe" and the product turns out not to be safe. I also understand vet "sticker shock" -- my Raleigh cost me $11,000 in vet bills in his last 14 months, but I don't regret it and neither will you. Tomorrow Wokie will be so glad to see you and it will all be worthwhile!!!!!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

majamom says:

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tHANK gOD wOOKIE IS ON THE MEND!

i almost purchased these for Jack * Lady; however the cost and the horrible problems caused by greenies i opted out Keep spreading the news as i am sure this will save another dog from suffering as your dear wooki has
(((wookie))
xo
majamom
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

georgesr58 says:

Bless is little heart !!!! Glad he is feeling better .
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Aaron of NEPA says:

Glad to hear some good news!
Hopefully he's continuing to improve...

Seen on your photo stream. (?)
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Unique_Snowflake says:

expensive little sucker!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

gina64 says:

Christine, I somehow missed that Wookie was so sick! I'm so sorry that you all had to go through that.

I'm glad to hear that he is doing better and I really hope you were able to bring him home today :). Marty and Mickey send their best, too.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

beamemup says:

I'm sorry to hear Wookie is ill. Our dogs are getting better from the dog food poisoning, but are still not as good as they once were. Hug Wookie for me.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

goldrausch says:

thank you, for the information!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

DSutherland [deleted] says:

I would fire off a nasty email to IAMS at the very least. I agree with Alan they should pay for part of it, since it was their product that caused Wookie so much trouble
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Moira Shaw says:

Oh no!! Poor wookie! Have seen that he is getting better from your other photos - bless him. Poor little soldier! :o(
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

possum4all says:

Ugh. Sorry I'm late to all this.... sounds horrible. So sorry you and Wookie had to go through all this. My best! Our dogs are family as I'm sure your dogs are.... hate to see them suffer at all. :(

My best.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

nightmares_n_fairy_tales says:

Oh my goodness! *kisses to little Wookie* Poor baby!

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Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

emimi says:

I have heard that these treats are not good for the dogs. It is a real shame that Wookie had to go through all that bad stuff. Pugs have the corner on looking sad and Wookie looks too pitiful.
Posted 26 months ago. ( permalink )

teekaygee says:

Yikes! I am sure glad he made a full recovery...hope you contacted Iams and made them pay for the vet bills. Hugs to dear Wookie, albeit a bit late after his ordeal.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

Canine Love / Irina says:

poor boy ;o(
thank you for the allert
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

puffboo79 says:

If you are afraid to give him treats again there is a web site that shows you how to make your own. I am very sorry you had to go threw all that stress. I would call company that made that treat and gripe thim out. I would say something else but I do not want Wookie to see the cuss words.
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

Dans L'amour [deleted] says:

sadly,my dad would just let my dogs die be4 he spent a penny at the vet 4 them(we still give my dogs shots!just not surgerys:()
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

Salimah Takiyah says:

WOW thats horrible. and he's sooooo cute too.
did u sue the company, i would have
Posted 16 months ago. ( permalink )

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The $1500.00 Dog Biscuit

Comments

samantha s. says:

amethystrainn says:

Ann's wild animals- off for swim team duties- says:

Alan Hostetler says:

loopykd says:

(Βαγγελης) Vangelis Photography says:

The Rat Bat says:

Jason Shukis says:

[Christine] says:

Odie - Odysseus of the Doggie World says:

[Christine] says:

Doggie Luver says:

Jason Shukis says:

robueno says:

Velvet_ says:

vx163 says:

snowy4052002 says:

marliestiffany says:

Ranabass says:

OringeJellow says:

Defensor Fortis says:

Deb Snelson says:

majamom says:

georgesr58 says:

Aaron of NEPA says:

Unique_Snowflake says:

gina64 says:

beamemup says:

goldrausch says:

DSutherland [deleted] says:

Moira Shaw says:

possum4all says:

nightmares_n_fairy_tales says:

emimi says:

teekaygee says:

Canine Love / Irina says:

puffboo79 says:

Dans L'amour [deleted] says:

Salimah Takiyah says:

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