The FDA is appealing to dog and cat owners for information as it struggles to solve a mysterious outbreak of illness and deaths among pets that ate jerky treats. The agency said it has linked illnesses from jerky pet treats to 3,600 dogs and 10 cats since 2007. About 580 of those pets have died. Bernadette Dunham, a veterinarian and head of the FDA vet medicine center, said:
"This is one of the most elusive and mysterious outbreaks we've encountered."