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At least 28 dogs have died and eight more have fallen ill after eating dog food containing high levels of a toxin called aflatoxin, the Food and Drug Administration said, as some pet foods were recalled on Wednesday.
The FDA is investigating these reports and warning pet owners and veterinarians that some Sportmix brand pet foods “may contain potentially fatal levels of aflatoxin.”
Aflatoxin is produced by the mold Aspergillus flavus, according to the FDA. This mold can grow on corn and other grains used in pet foods. At high levels, it can be fatal for pets.
Midwest Pet Food Inc., which manufactures the Sportmix brand of pet food, announced the recall of nine lots of pet food on Wednesday. A list of the recalled products can be found on the FDA website.
The FDA and the Missouri Department of Agriculture are working with the manufacturer to determine if any additional products contain high levels of aflatoxin.
“While this pet food recall is still ongoing, we share the facts we have so far as the levels of aflatoxin found in the recalled pet foods are potentially fatal,” Dr. Amber McCoig , deputy director of the FDA’s Center for Veterinary Medicine. of compliance, said in a statement.
People should stop feeding their pets these foods and contact their vets.
Symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning in pets can include laziness, loss of appetite, vomiting, jaundice (a sign of liver damage) and / or diarrhea, according to the FDA. If your pet is showing symptoms, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Pets are particularly susceptible to aflatoxin poisoning because they typically eat the same food every day, according to the FDA. If the food contains aflatoxin, the toxin can build up in their body over time.
Pet owners are not thought to be at risk when handling feed, however.
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