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COLORADO SPRINGS, COLO. -- According to the FDA more than 2,000 complaints in all 50 states have been reported about dogs getting sick after eating dog treats containing chicken jerky. An investigation has been ongoing since 2007 but the treats remain on store shelves.

The FDA said at least 360 dogs and one cat have died in the past 18 months as a result of eating treats containing chicken jerky that were made overseas.

Recently one pet owner in Southern Colorado learned the hard way about the dangers of these treats.

"He was not drinking water but he was eating these chicken nuggets and I couldn't get him to eat much of anything else," Richard Robertson, who owns a golden retriever named Simba, said.

Robertson continued to give Simba the dog treats until his vet put two and two together.

"He called me and let me know. He said this is a real problem and this is probably what has been causing his kidney problems," Robertson said.

Robertson said he had no idea that what he was giving Simba was actually poisoning him.

"The first thing I felt was guilt that I should have known better, somehow I should have realized," he said.

But Dr. Chris McReynolds, owner of Southern Colorado Veterinary Internal Medicine, said Robertson is not alone.

"Since about 2007 there have been reports of dogs becoming sick, mostly involved with kidney issues and sometimes kidney failure and unfortunately sometimes death," McReynolds said.

He said the dangerous treats can be found at almost every pet store.

"I think you're flirting with disaster by buying anything that's produced overseas, particularly in Asia and particularly in China at this point," McReynolds said. "Until they get better regulations, until we figure out what's going on, I would highly encourage you that if you are feeding your dogs treats that either you're making them at home, and there are a number of sites on the web that will instruct you on how to make your own chicken jerky treats, or to be getting something that is processed specifically here in North America."

Until a specific link can be found between the treats and the disease the treats will remain on the shelves.

"They're working with NASA currently because they think it might be something to do with the sterilization process that involves radiation but we just don't know and that's what what's very frustrating because as a result of that the FDA cannot pull the jerky treats off the market," McReynolds said.

Luckily for Robertson and Simba the kidney failure was caught early.

"Most of the time the kidneys can regenerate but if the dog had already been existing with a level of renal insufficiency to begin with it's going to be that much harder to get back from," McReynolds said.

McReynolds said signs of kidney failure include decreased appetite, vomiting, diarrhea, and increased water consumption. He said dogs showing these signs that have consumed chicken jerky treats made overseas should be taken to the vet immediately.

"Absolutely you'd want to see your veterinarian and have at least blood work done and then of course stop those treats."