NBC News (1/15, Aleccia) in its “Vitals” blog reported that the US Food and Drug Administration believes that since last summer, about “500 dogs” and one cat “may have died after eating chicken jerky pet treats made in China.” Overall, an updated list of complaint reports filed with the FDA “shows the agency has received 2,674 reports of illness involving 3,243 dogs, including 501 deaths,” as well as illnesses in nine cats, “including one death.” The blog points out that the agency’s updated data follows last week’s “voluntary recalls of several popular brands” of jerky treats that were issued after agriculture officials in New York determined that some of the products contained “unapproved antibiotics.” But so far, the FDA has been unable to confirm whether the treats, and the recent pet illnesses and deaths, are linked. The blog provides a list the jerky treats currently under recall.