A Dutch health authority has warned dog owners against buying a brand of chew bone that can cause ‘werewolf syndrome’ in their pets.
Several people in the Netherlands who got the treat for their dog reported the appearance of the horrifying neurological condition soon afterwards.
In the city of Groningen, one dog reportedly died while another belonging to the same couple was taken to a veterinary hospital.
Dutch local news site Noorder Nieuws said the couple was told by the vets that the bone was to blame.
The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has now issued a warning for cheese sticks and chew bones from the company Barkoo.
It said: ‘These chew bones are the suspected cause of the development of serious neurological abnormalities in dogs. This is currently still being investigated.
‘These neurological abnormalities are also described as werewolf syndrome. This syndrome can lead to death.’
Werewolf syndrome is the name given to a brain condition that can cause serious behavioural issues in dogs.
According to vets in Germany, where dozens of cases were reported in the second half of last year, these can include extreme excitement, epileptic fits and wolf-like howling.
Nina Meyerhoff, a veterinarian in Hanover, told German magazine GMX: ‘It seems as if the dogs are hallucinating. Some try to jump out of the window or suddenly become aggressive.’
She speculated that the cowhide chews may have been contaminated with a toxic substance during the manufacturing process.
Cases have also been reported in Switzerland, Finland and Belgium.
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