Aflatoxins In Pet Foods: A Cause Of Illness And Fatality In Dogs

A healthy and young dog in my neighborhood recently died unexpectedly due to liver failure. According to the veterinarian, aflatoxins found in a new bag of dog food were the likely cause, which led to a subsequent recall of the product. To ensure the safety of my own dog, I’m now concerned about how to prevent a similar tragedy.

Aflatoxins are poisonous substances produced by molds, particularly Aspergillus molds, which have the ability to grow on various grains such as corn, rice, soybeans, tree nuts, peanuts, and cottonseeds. These molds thrive in warm and moist conditions, often found during the growing and storage process.

It’s important to note that aflatoxins are not easily eliminated by heat, meaning they persist even after the food is processed. Disturbingly, in the past few months, there have been recalls of pet foods such as Midwestern Pet Food’s Sportmix, Sportstrail, Nunn Better, Pro Pac, and Splash, due to several dogs falling ill or dying after consumption. Extensive testing revealed alarmingly high levels of aflatoxins in these products.

In an earlier incident, Sunshine Mills recalled 17 brands of pet food in response to the detection of elevated aflatoxin levels.

Dogs, especially puppies, are particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of aflatoxins, hence the need for caution.

Depending on the amount of aflatoxin ingested, dogs may experience liver damage, liver failure, or even death. Moreover, exposure to aflatoxins has been known to cause liver cancer.

Common signs of liver damage in dogs include decreased appetite, reduced energy levels, vomiting, diarrhea, and jaundice indicated by yellowing of the eyes, gums, and skin. These clinical symptoms can manifest within a day or two of ingestion or may be delayed for several weeks.

To safeguard your dog’s well-being, it is recommended to purchase pet food from well-established manufacturers that employ veterinary nutritionists to test their products on dogs. Seeking recommendations from your veterinarian would also be beneficial.

Proper storage of pet food is another crucial aspect. Keep the food in a clean, dry, and cool location. Even if there are no visible signs of mold, it is essential not to feed your dog moldy food or any food they suddenly dislike, particularly if it’s from a new bag.

Furthermore, it is important to never allow your dog to consume livestock feed, as regulatory agencies permit significantly higher aflatoxin levels in livestock feed compared to pet food.

Q: A year ago, my wife rescued a stray kitten named Nugget. The kitten has long hair, and my wife, who has obsessive-compulsive disorder, tends to engage in excessive housecleaning.

Since Nugget sheds hair everywhere she goes, my wife keeps her locked in a carrier for around 20 hours each day. During the remaining few hours, Nugget is confined to a specific room where she eats, drinks, and uses the litter box.

We have a large house, and I believe Nugget would greatly benefit from exploring it. However, due to the presence of predators in our rural area, letting her roam outdoors is too risky. I would appreciate any suggestions on how to persuade my wife to give Nugget the freedom to roam the entire house.

A: In this situation, I recommend that your wife consults her therapist to address how her obsessive-compulsive disorder is affecting Nugget. Cognitive behavioral therapy and other treatments, in addition to medication, can potentially benefit both your wife and the kitten.

Keeping Nugget confined to a carrier for most of the day is both inhumane and can contribute to various health issues. For instance, forcing her to hold her bladder for prolonged periods increases the risk of urinary disease.

You can also provide assistance by brushing Nugget daily, which should help reduce the amount of hair scattered around your home. Additionally, considering having her fur trimmed or shaved can further decrease shedding.

Increasing shedding may be attributed to fleas, so it is crucial to ensure that Nugget receives year-round flea treatment. If her shedding is excessive and leads to sparse hair, it is advisable to schedule an appointment with the veterinarian.

If your wife remains unwilling to release Nugget from confinement, it may be worth considering rehoming her with another family who would be able to provide an environment where she can freely explore and interact with family members without restrictions.

Although I understand that your wife wants what is best for Nugget, it may be necessary for you to take a firm stance to ensure a better quality of life for the kitten. Best wishes to all three of you.