- In 2008, dog and cat foods imported from China were found to contain high levels of melamine, but this is not the only source of pet food poisonings. Salmonella, e. Coli, fungus toxins and the preservative ethoxyquin have all been indicated in pet food-related illnesses. To ensure the safest possible food for your pet, read the labels carefully. Check for expiration dates and do not purchase more food than you will use in one month. Store food in closed, airtight containers.
- Nausea and loss of appetite are the most common symptoms of food poisoning. Loss of appetite is the primary symptom of aflatoxin poisoning. A naturally ocurring toxin found in a type of fungus that grows on corn, it can cause severe potentially fatal liver damage. In 2006, an outbreak of aflatoxin poisoning was caused by spoiled dog food that contained corn and caused at least one hundred dog deaths.
- Severe, watery diarrhea is always cause for concern. If the condition is accompanied by blood in the stool, contact your veterinarian. Diarrhea can cause dehydration which is a serious problem. To determine if your dog is dehydrated, pull the skin on her back. If it fails to spring back into position quickly, your dog could be dehydrated. Store food properly to prevent access by mice or other rodents that can spread e. Coli.
- If your dog suddenly begins drooling, it could be a sign of a toxic skin reaction in the mouth. Look for any swelling of the tongue or obvious irritation to the gums or mouth tissue. Mouth irritation can be a sign of pet food poisoning, but some dogs will try to eat toads, and this can cause excessive slobbering. Drooling can also be caused by ingestion of caustic substances such as bleach.
- Labored breathing, particularly if the onset is sudden, is cause for concern. Some dogs are allergic to specific food ingredients and they can cause respiratory distress. Do not feed your dog onions; the allium contained in this vegetable can cause severe breathing difficulties if eaten in quantity. Avocados, grapes, chocolate and macadamia nuts are also toxic to dogs.
- Melamine poisoning causes kidney problems. This causes difficulty in urinating, small amounts of urine passing and signs of blood in the urine. Other symptoms of melamine poisoning include a sudden increase in water drinking and a sudden onset of bad
breath . These symptoms are common to both dogs and cats. Melamine poisoning can cause complete kidney failure and death if left untreated.
- Mycotoxins, a fungus that grows on moldy grains, resulted in a large pet food recall in 1995. This fungus can cause immune disorders, liver and kidney problems and reproductive difficulties. Often, the grains used in pet foods are left over from the processing of human-grade foods. They have little nutritional value and do not meet the same strict freshness standards required for human use.
Nutrena Europe - Mastery Cat-poisoning
We have reasons to think that the Pet Food brand Mastery, produced by DogN´Cat International in France, contents some kind of poison! As today, several cats have been put to sleep because of this and some dogs to. We have several case verified so far!
This case has been going on since December 2005! And it will go on and on, because we will not give up.
As it seams now there was no Melamine in the food. We did a test at SVA in Sweden. But we will continue with other tests until we find out whats wrong? What kind of poison it is!? We decided to go to the bottom about this, even if ít will take some time and several tests! The facts is to be found and this is going to be public!
A few months ago the Cat magazine "Kattliv" in Sweden published one ad from Virbac without asking us about the background and the truth!? We will keep printing in information here about this case in the nearest future. If you have the number of this magazine you can see for yourself. Number 4 - 2009, page 61. On the top of all, there is absolutely no legal ground for this in Sweden. Then Virbac them self payed for this add, strange if you think about the text in the add. There only one reason to do this: Miss credit towards Nutrena.
New info about Mastery Pet Food.
We still have a few open bags of Mastery Cat Food here. They are four and a half year old. They have been stored in room temperature for the last six months! Still it looks like it was brand new. No mold, no insect's no nothing that shows the age. This tells me that there is something very wrong in this food. Something that keep food from getting old. It´s some kind of poison that's for sure. we will find out, sooner or later. Aflatoxin is next in line for a test.
Other pet food that I have been working with (import) during a period of 23 years, usually get mouldy before the end of best before, particularly if stored in room temperature. Also insect's of different kind usually show up. This is not the case with Mastery Pet Food. I think it will manage a few years more without getting old.
Visit this blogg: http://chris.bloggproffs.se/category/pet-food/
Please contact us if you have anything to tell us about Mastery Pet Food.
Phone: 0046-451-20559 Email: chris@cacanas.se
Link to Mastery website: http://www.dogcatinter.com/en/home/
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We are going to the next step now and start testing this food regarding Mycotoxin and Aflatoxin
A mycotoxin
is a toxic secondary metabolite produced by an organism of the fungus kingdom, including
mushrooms, molds, and yeasts. [1][2] The term 'mycotoxin' is usually reserved for the toxic
chemical products produced by fungi that readily colonize crops.[1] Most fungi are aerobic
(use oxygen) and are found almost everywhere in extremely small quantities due to the minute size of their spores. They consume organic matter wherever humidity and temperature are sufficient. One mold species may produce many different mycotoxins and/or the same mycotoxin as another species. [3]
Where conditions are right, fungi proliferate into colonies and mycotoxin levels become high. Mycotoxins can appear in the food chain as a result of fungal infection of crops, either by being eaten directly by humans, or by being used as livestock feed. Mycotoxins greatly resist decomposition or being broken down in digestion, so they remain in the food chain in meat and dairy products.Even temperature treatments, such as cooking and freezing, do not destroy mycotoxins.
Aflatoxin
Aflatoxins are naturally occurring mycotoxins that are produced by many species of Aspergillus, a fungus, most notably Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus parasiticus. Aflatoxins are toxic and among the most carcinogenic substances known.[1] After entering the body, aflatoxins are metabolized by the liver to a reactive intermediate, aflatoxin M1, an epoxide.
Aflatoxin-producing members of Aspergillus are common and widespread in nature. They can colonize and contaminate grain before harvest or during storage. Host crops are particularly susceptible to infection by Aspergillus following prolonged exposure to a high humidity environment or damage from stressful conditions such as drought, a condition which lowers the barrier to entry. The native habitat of Aspergillus is in soil, decaying vegetation, hay, and grains undergoing microbiological deterioration and it invades all types of organic substrates whenever conditions are favorable for its growth. Favorable conditions include high moisture content (at least 7%) and high temperature.
Crops which are frequently affected include cereals (maize, sorghum, pearl millet, rice, wheat), oilseeds (peanut soybean, sunflower, cotton), spices (chile peppers, black pepper, coriander, turmeric, ginger), and tree nuts (almond, pistachio, walnut, coconut, brazil nut).
As we understand, this suits very well for Mastery Pet Food. Please read the statements below, they are very important for all Pet-owners.
Cat Poisoning Symptoms
Cats can be poisoned by many different things, and it is important to recognize the symptoms. There can be a few symptoms that make it obvious your cat is poisoned and in some cases, none. Antifreeze, household chemicals, rat poison, pesticides, chocolate and ibuprofen are all deadly to felines. In addition, dead animals like poisoned birds and certain snakes, lizards and toads can be toxic if the cat eats them. When a cat displays poisoning symptoms, contact a veterinarian immediately.
- The cat acts listless and weak, lying around and not engaging in her normal activities.
- Poisoned cats sometimes drool and salivate profusely.
- A cat that is poisoned will vomit to rid itself of the toxin. Sometimes the vomit will be bloody.
- Poisoned cats often display abnormal gaits and are unable to walk properly, stumbling and staggering as they move.
- Diarrhea can be present when a cat is poisoned. As with vomiting, the body is trying to rid itself of the poison.
- Rapid breathing and taking quick, shallow breaths are symptoms seen when a cat is poisoned.
- Because the cat's system is overloaded with the poison, it affects his brain, causing seizures
Lethargy
Drooling
Vomiting
Stumbling
Diarrhea
Rapid Breathing
Seizures
Pet Food Poisoning Symptoms
Incidents of pet food poisoning have alerted dog and cat owners to the dangers of contaminated food. In 2007, recalls spurred the U.S. Congress to pass legislation establishing ingredient and processing standards for pet food. While these are important and valuable protections for pets, owners should still be aware of the signs and symptoms of pet food poisoning.
Symptoms of Aflotoxin in Cats
With the recent pet food scare, you may be wondering how to spot Aflotoxin poisoning in your pet. The symptoms of Aflotoxin poisoning are easy to spot. However, if your cat shows any of the symptoms below, contact your veterinarian immediately. When spotted early, Aflotoxin poisoning can be treated.
- The most obvious and severe symptom of Aflotoxin is discolored body excrement. Discolored urine and bloody diarrhea are both signs of Aflotoxin poisoning.
- Like with humans, when your cat's body comes into contact with a foreign product, like poison, the body will try to fight it off, causing a fever.
- Because most Alfotoxin poisoning comes from food, Alfotoxin can make your cat sick to his stomach, making him not want to eat.
- Because of the amount of poison running through your cats body, he may show symptoms of jaundice. Watch for any yellowing of your pet's skin or eyes.
- Cats who have Aflotoxin poisoning are often more tired and sluggish than usual. If your cat hasn't moved in hours, and that's unusual behavior, check for the other symptoms.
Discolored Excrement
Fever
Loss of Appetite
Jaundice
Fatigue