Aflatoxicosis:
Aflatoxin Poisoning in Dogs and Cats
Dr. Lorie Huston - www.suite101.com – Jan 22n 2011
Aflatoxicosis Can Be Fatal for Dogs and Cats - epSos.de/Flickr.com
Aflatoxins are a type of mycotoxin (a poison produced by fungi or mold). Aflatoxins can contaminate foods and cause liver disease in dogs and cats.
Aflatoxins are sometimes found in moldy dog and cat foods. Ingestion of aflatoxins can cause liver failure in pets.
Aflatoxins Are Mycotoxins Produced by Fungi and Molds
Mycotoxins are substances that are produced by fungi or molds. Aflatoxins are one of the most commonly seen mycotoxins in dogs. Cats also can be affected.
Aflatoxins are not only potent toxins but they are also carcinogenic (cancer-causing), mutagenic (capable of causing mutations) and immunosuppressive. They cause the death of hepatic (liver) cells, leading to liver failure.
Fungi and molds such as Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium are capable of producing aflatoxins. These molds and fungi can contaminate products such as corn, peanuts and cottonseed. As a result, dog and cat foods containing these products can contain aflatoxins.
Aflatoxicosis in Dogs and Cats
Aflatoxicosis is poisoning of a dog or cat with an aflatoxin. Though not seen frequently, aflatoxicosis can be life-threatening for the affected pet and can also have long-lasting effects.
Acute Aflatoxicosis in Dogs and Cats
Aflatoxins attack the liver of the dog and cat, causing liver failure. The symptoms expected to be seen in acute cases of aflatoxicosis are:
Treatment of Aflatoxicosis
There is no specific cure for aflatoxicosis. Treatment is supportive and includes:
Medications such as SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine), ursodeoxycholic acid and vitamin E may also have some value in treating the liver damage resulting from aflatoxin ingestion.
Hepatic encephalopathy is the involvement of the brain and central nervous system as a result of liver disease. Animals suffering from aflatoxicosis may suffer from hepatic encephalopathy also and may need to be treated for this disorder.
Chronic Aflatoxicosis in Dogs and Cats
Dogs and cats can also suffer from a chronic form of aflatoxicosis as well because of the carcinogenic and mutagenic properties of aflatoxins. This may result in chronic hepatitis or even liver cancer.
Prevention of Aflatoxicosis for Your Dog or Cat
Storing dog and cats food clean dry area can help prevent aflatoxin contamination of the food. If food is visibly moldy, do not feed it to your dog or cat.
Unfortunately, heating (as occurs during food processing) does not deactivate aflatoxins and there have been cases of commercial diets being contaminated with aflatoxins and causing aflatoxicosis in pets
Aflatoxins are a type of mycotoxin (a poison produced by fungi or mold). Aflatoxins can contaminate foods and cause liver disease in dogs and cats.
Aflatoxins are sometimes found in moldy dog and cat foods. Ingestion of aflatoxins can cause liver failure in pets.
Aflatoxins Are Mycotoxins Produced by Fungi and Molds
Mycotoxins are substances that are produced by fungi or molds. Aflatoxins are one of the most commonly seen mycotoxins in dogs. Cats also can be affected.
Aflatoxins are not only potent toxins but they are also carcinogenic (cancer-causing), mutagenic (capable of causing mutations) and immunosuppressive. They cause the death of hepatic (liver) cells, leading to liver failure.
Fungi and molds such as Aspergillus flavus and Penicillium are capable of producing aflatoxins. These molds and fungi can contaminate products such as corn, peanuts and cottonseed. As a result, dog and cat foods containing these products can contain aflatoxins.
Aflatoxicosis in Dogs and Cats
Aflatoxicosis is poisoning of a dog or cat with an aflatoxin. Though not seen frequently, aflatoxicosis can be life-threatening for the affected pet and can also have long-lasting effects.
Acute Aflatoxicosis in Dogs and Cats
Aflatoxins attack the liver of the dog and cat, causing liver failure. The symptoms expected to be seen in acute cases of aflatoxicosis are:
- lethargy and depression
- loss of appetite
- vomiting
- bloody diarrhea
- jaundice (yellow coloration of the gums and skin)
- weakness
- seizures
Treatment of Aflatoxicosis
There is no specific cure for aflatoxicosis. Treatment is supportive and includes:
- fluid therapy to correct dehydration and maintain the hydration status
- anti-emetic medications such as metoclopramide or chlorpromazine to control vomiting
- antibiotics such as amoxicillin, amoxicillin/clavulinic acid or cephalexin
- drugs such as famotidine, ranitidine or carafate that protect the gastrointestinal tract
- phytonadione (vitamin K1)
Medications such as SAMe (S-adenosylmethionine), ursodeoxycholic acid and vitamin E may also have some value in treating the liver damage resulting from aflatoxin ingestion.
Hepatic encephalopathy is the involvement of the brain and central nervous system as a result of liver disease. Animals suffering from aflatoxicosis may suffer from hepatic encephalopathy also and may need to be treated for this disorder.
Chronic Aflatoxicosis in Dogs and Cats
Dogs and cats can also suffer from a chronic form of aflatoxicosis as well because of the carcinogenic and mutagenic properties of aflatoxins. This may result in chronic hepatitis or even liver cancer.
Prevention of Aflatoxicosis for Your Dog or Cat
Storing dog and cats food clean dry area can help prevent aflatoxin contamination of the food. If food is visibly moldy, do not feed it to your dog or cat.
Unfortunately, heating (as occurs during food processing) does not deactivate aflatoxins and there have been cases of commercial diets being contaminated with aflatoxins and causing aflatoxicosis in pets
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