After several recent aflatoxin recalls, the FDA provides pet owners with some significant education regarding aflatoxin poisoning in pets.
The new aflatoxin education from FDA is the first time the Agency acknowledges the risk of accumulation of low levels of aflatoxins pets can be exposed to in pet foods. “Pets are highly susceptible to aflatoxin poisoning because, unlike people, who eat a varied diet, pets generally eat the same food continuously over extended periods of time. If a pet’s food contains aflatoxins, the toxins could accumulate in the pet’s system as they continue to eat the same food.”
The FDA provides the following information for signs pet owners should look for in their pets:
“Pets suffering from aflatoxin poisoning may experience signs such as sluggishness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice (yellowish tint to the eyes, gums or skin due to liver damage), unexplained bruising or bleeding, and/or diarrhea. In some cases, aflatoxins can affect blood clotting and cause long-term liver problems and/or death. Some pets may suffer liver damage without showing any signs in the early stages of aflatoxin poisoning and if they continue eating contaminated food, they may die suddenly. Pet owners who suspect their pets have been eating products contaminated with aflatoxins should contact their veterinarians and immediately stop feeding the suspected food, especially if the pets are showing signs of illness.“
“If you suspect your pet is showing signs of aflatoxin poisoning, take him/her to a veterinarian immediately.“
The FDA as well states they are continuing to investigate these recalls. “FDA is continuing to investigate how these incidents occurred and if any expansion of currently identified products or other foods should be recalled. FDA will issue public updates with any additional recall information as it becomes available.” And the Agency recommends all issues be reported to FDA for further investigation, including suggesting having a necropsy performed on pets that have died suspect of aflatoxin poisoning.
To read the full FDA report, Click Here.
Wishing you and your pet(s) the best,
Susan Thixton
Pet Food Safety Advocate
Author Buyer Beware, Co-Author Dinner PAWsible
TruthaboutPetFood.com
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David Boothman
January 8, 2021 at 4:35 pm
Aflatoxin in grains is associated with particular local climate conditions where grown, and so varies widely from year to year. Due to the symptoms in severe poisoning in people, many believe it was a factor in the Salem witch trials and this was the subject of a PHD thesis which did relate the incident to the geographic locations and records of climatic conditions the year it occurred. The historic incidents are particularly connected to those eating bread made from locally grown Rye. Others have related the wild nature of the French Revolution, in which the original leaders ended up executing each other, to similar aflatoxin propagation due to climate a the time. At one time old film of people suffering what looked like raving madness could be found on the internet. This dated from the last mass outbreak of the poisoning in Europe. Health measures now protect us from recurrence but these do not protect animals and of course if you eat the animal you eat the aflatoxin. However disposing of contaminated grain in animal feed is too tempting and would require competent regulation management. Dog food is a very tempting place for them to seek out since there is no big lawyer lobby keeping watch. Four large competently lawyered multinational corporations control ninety percent of meat production so it leaves pet food as the attractive route for disposal. These incidents will continue to occur in climate years favorable for aflatoxin mold.
lyn
January 8, 2021 at 6:31 pm
Right, warn the public after the fact. Transparently unconcerned about our pets/family members. We get it.
Worn Out
January 8, 2021 at 10:41 pm
I think the only way to fight back against the pet food companies is to actually know the brand names most likely be affected by Aflatoxin. It’s really too late by the time a recall is published. People should be able to at least avoid the worst of these foods by brand. What’s an example of good pet food label and a bad label (list of ingredients) to give people an example. Some of them must be new readers from when all this started.