EQUINE PRODUCTS

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About Mycotoxins...
 

  

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Most people are familiar with mold in one form of another. Mold is the wooly-like growth that frequently develops on the surface of damp organic matter held under aerobic conditions at temperatures between 45 degrees F and 100 degrees F. There are many different types and strains.

Molds produce metabolites, many of which are toxic to other organisms. Such toxic metabolites are referred to as mycotoxins...

Of the many different mycotoxins that sometimes occur in feeds, the aflatoxin group seems to pose the greatest threat to animal health and efficient livestock production...

...Read on!

 

 

CANINE PRODUCTS


Following are some of the symptoms that have been associated with aflatoxicosis in one or more classes of livestock.

  1. Off feed
  2. Reduced feed consumption
  3. Reduced gains
  4. Lowered milk production
  5. Inefficient feed utilization
  6. Diarrhea
  7. Scours
  8. Bloody diarrhea
  9. Enteritis
  10. GI tract lesions
  11. Prolapsed rectum
  12. Enlarged gall bladder
  13. Enlarged liver
  14. Grayish-colored livers
  15. Fibrosis of the liver
  16. Liver lesions
  17. Liver carcinomas
  18. Polydipsea
  19. Polyuria
  20. Dehydration
  1. Enlargement of kidneys
  2. Kidney lesions
  3. Necrosis in renal tubes
  4. Breeding problems
  5. Abortion
  6. Metritis
  7. Enlarged vulva
  8. Respiratory problems
  9. Nasal discharge
  10. Runny eyes
  11. Droopy ears
  12. Dry muzzles
  13. Rough hair coat
  14. Loss of hair
  15. Internal hemorrhaging
  16. Increase in mastitis
  17. Aflatoxin in milk
  18. Sluggishness
  19. Depression
  20. Lethargy
 

  1. Death

  
Since aflatoxin is a recognized carcinogen, there is a zero tolerance of it in all [human] food products, including meat and milk...

Young animals are more susceptible to harm from aflatoxin than are older animals; consequently it is necessary to keep the aflatoxin at relatively low levels in rations for females nursing young and in creep feeds for young animals." ( Feeds and Feeding, Fifth Edition, Perry, Cullison and Lowrey, 1999, Prentice-Hall, Inc., pp. 497-500.)
 

For additional research and nutritional information, please see:

 

 

 

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