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Food

Mouldy Food and Compost (mycotoxins)

An emergency, especially after raiding a compost heap. Tremorgenic mycotoxins can act within an hour or two.

SevereDogsCatsWildlife scavenging bins

What to do right now

  1. 1.Prevent access to the compost heap or food source immediately
  2. 2.Go to an emergency vet if tremors, agitation or seizures develop
  3. 3.Do not attempt to induce vomiting once tremors have started

Symptoms

  • Severe muscle tremors
  • Agitation and panting
  • High body temperature
  • Seizures
  • Vomiting

Details

Category
Food
Toxicity
Severe
Species affected
Dogs, Cats, Wildlife scavenging bins
Routes of exposure
Raiding compost heaps, bins or eating forgotten mouldy leftovers, bread or dairy
Urgency
An emergency, especially after raiding a compost heap. Tremorgenic mycotoxins can act within an hour or two.

Veterinary treatment

Certain moulds produce tremorgenic mycotoxins that overstimulate the nervous system. Treatment focuses on sedation, muscle relaxants and cooling for hyperthermia.

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