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.
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Sources of Pet Food Poisoning
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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 Appetite Loss
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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.
Watery Diarrhea
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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.
Drooling and Mouth Irritation
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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.
Breathing Difficulties
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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.
Urination Problems
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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.
Other Toxic Dangers
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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.
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