Dangerous treats linked to “Werewolf Syndrome” in dogs

The Netherlands Food and Consumer Product Safety Authority (NVWA) has warned that the kaustange and kauknochen chew treats of the Barkoo brand can cause a “werewolf syndrome” as well as lead to the death of dogs.

This so-called “werewolf syndrome” is often illustrated by panic attacks and the dog howling like a wolf. It is a neurological disorder and has been seen in countries around Europe like Germany, Finland, Belgium, Switzerland, and the Netherlands, RTV Noord reported.

Two dogs were affected by the syndrome in Groningen. One had to be put down while the other recovered with the help of medication that was applied in the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of Utrecht University.

Researchers believe that the chew bones, chew snacks, and chew sticks may have been contaminated with mycotoxins (mold toxins) during the production process. Although the exact cause has not yet been determined, experts rule out infections, vaccinations, and tick repellents as the cause in affected dogs.

The chew bones are sold on the web stores Zooplus and Bitiba. The NVWA recommends anyone who has bought one of these products to make contact with the web stores.