Pet Food - Mold / Aflatoxin Poisoning

Aflatoxin comes from a fungus found on corn and other crops and can cause severe liver damage in pets. If your pet shows any of these symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately. — Sluggishness — Loss of appetite — Jaundice (yellow whites of the eyes, gums, belly) — Severe, persistent vomiting combined with bloody diarrhea — Fever Source: Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

In The News

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The FDA reports that at least 76 dogs nationwide are believed to have died as a result of eating contaminated Diamond Pet Foods. The company has recalled 19 varieties of dog and cat food because tests showed high levels of aflatoxin, a naturally occurring toxic chemical that comes from a fungus found on corn and other grains that causes severe liver damage in animals. The company recalled products manufactured at its Gaston, S.C., plant from around September to November 2005. Based on sample testing, Diamond has narrowed down the exposure to food produced on Oct. 11, Brinkmann said Thursday. The FDA and the South Carolina Department of Agriculture have launched investigations. Customers who have purchased the recalled Diamond Pet Food manufactured in the South Carolina plant should immediately stop using it and return any remaining product to their retailer, according to the FDA. The range of date codes being reviewed are "Best By 01-March-07" through Best By " 11-June-07". FDA also has discovered that some of the recalled product was exported to at least 29 countries, including countries within the European Union. These countries have been notified. Diamond officials say they are doing what they can to help affected pet owners. Diamond has promised to reimburse pet owners for vet bills and other costs associated with the aflatoxin poisoning, which officials now believe may include pets in Europe and other areas outside the country where the food is distributed.

Personal Note

I am considered an animal lover. I have worked with the MSPCA for years as a foster parent and have adopted several dogs, cats, rabbits, goats, pig and birds over the years. One quest is to find the best quality food possible. I had one dog that suffered from skin allergies. Most of the vets think it is diet related. So far, after 3 years and a dozen different brands of "high quality" and "organic" food, we have not been able to help him. Is this a reflection of the overall quality of dog food? Was it mold related due to chronic ear infection when he was a puppy?

I guarantee your pets will live longer and healthier if you feed them human grade food. Would you feed your child pet food?

Multiple Sclerosis: Chronic Mycotoxicosis Mold?

As time goes on and the study of mycology advances we are seeing more and more evidence of "mold" related afflictions. We see humans, animals and insects all suffer from the diabolical nature of "mold". Given my vocation, I often wonder on how my 20+ years of exposure to mold with affect my future health. You are what you eat. Treat your body well, give it clean vibrant foods as often as you can. Stop drinking alcohol and eating processed foods and foods with sugar. MS Definition (as defined by the national ms society) - Multiple sclerosis (MS) involves an immune-mediated process in which an abnormal response of the body’s immune system is directed against the central nervous system (CNS). The CNS is made up of the brain, spinal cord and optic nerves. So, does the definition of MS coincide with the scientific research involving mycotoxins? "Future research should be directed at treating the disease as if it were caused by fungi and their devastating myco...

Biofilms - Health Ramifications

This post is third in a series of biofilm posts in this blog. If you read either of the last two biofilm posts, you will have a better understanding of biofilms, below are the links if you would like to read them first. Biofilms Infecting our Drinking Water - https://bostonmoldblog.blogspot.com/2016/01/biofilms-infecting-our-drinking-water.html Biofilms and Dental Health - https://bostonmoldblog.blogspot.com/2016/01/biofilm-and-health-dental.html Biofilms form all around us and are attributed to illnesses and deaths every year. Here are a few stats from Montana State Anniversary. 13,000 - Deaths a year JUST from urinary catheters. 108,000 - Amputations due to diabetic ulcers caused by biofilms. These stats do not account for the other associated impact biofilms have on our health. I cannot overstate the importance of good dental hygiene as it relates to overall health. This oral hygiene is also important in the health of our pets. Consider this. Poor oral hygi...

Lung Infections Caused by Fungi in Soil

A recent study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis found certain fungi in soil can cause a significant number of serious lung infections in 48 out of 50 states and the District of Columbia, including many areas long thought to be free of deadly environmental fungi. Histoplasma is one of the three main species of soil fungi that cause lung infections in the U.S. Historically, Histoplasma was found in the Midwest and parts of the East, Coccidioides in the Southwest, and Blastomyces in the Midwest and the South. But a growing number of case reports and anecdotes suggest that all three have expanded out of their traditional ranges in recent decades. People develop fungal lung infections after breathing in spores from fungi in the soil. The spores become airborne when the ground is disturbed by farming, landscaping, construction, or even just by people walking around in fungi-rich environ...

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