Mold and toxins from mold can be harmful and even deadly to rabbits. Molds usually grow under specific conditions of temperature and humidity or in diseased/saturated soil. Moldy feeds may cause a variety of health problems in rabbits and humans, especially respiratory disease from breathing in mold spores. Moldy feeds are also less palatable and may cause a reduction in feed intake, resulting in weight loss.
When molds are shocked by sudden fluctuations in temperature (freezes or hot spells), they exude poisons called mycotoxins.
Types of mold that can be found in rabbit feed:
1 Alfalfa hay is considered a forage. 2 Rabbit pellets contain wheat middlings, soybean hulls and sometimes corn -- the "pathway" ingredients for mycotoxin contamination.
Mycotoxins are invisible, highly corrosive, deadly poisons which may persist in feed and hay even when the molds that produced them are no longer present. Mycotoxins are nearly all cytotoxic, disrupting various cellular structures such as membranes, and interfering with vital cellular processes such as protein, RNA and DNA synthesis. They destroy organ tissue by oxidizing protein, impact specific organs, and have immunosuppressive effects. Some of them produce acute toxicity, evidenced by digestive disorders or dermatitis, but many more are carcinogenic (capable of causing cancer), resulting in genetic mutations, or causing deformities in developing embryos. Mycotoxins can have very pervasive, yet subclinical, effects on animals' health that can easily go unnoticed. By the time the clinical symptoms of mycotoxin poisoning are observed, significant damage has occurred.
Improper harvesting (putting up wet hay), packaging (in air-tight plastic bags) and storage or prolonged shipping may enhance the potential for mold growth. Dirty harvesting, manufacturing/pelleting equipment and storage bins may contribute to mycotoxin contamination.
Learn to identify good quality hay.
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2. What are the symptoms of mycotoxin poisoning (mycotoxicosis)? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The symptoms are wide-ranging and similar to more well-known ailments. Mycotoxins may cause:
Since few veterinarians are trained in toxicology, mycotoxicosis is usually misdiagnosed.
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3. How can mycotoxin poisoning be diagnosed? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
The poisoning may manifest as on-and-off, chronic or acute episodes, depending on the amount of toxic feed ingested and how consistently it was fed. The damage to internal organs is cumulative over a period of time. A high incidence of gastrointestinal upsets (impactions, etc.) and of disease associated with depressed immune function (Pasteurella, etc.) may be clues that a mycotoxin problem exists. Some clinical signs which may appear in a rabbit:
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4. What is the treatment for mycotoxin poisoning? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sucralfate is a "cytoprotective" agent that binds to the ulcerated erosion sites to form a protective barrier and promote healing. This prevents bacteria from crossing through the damaged tissue along the lining in the GI tract and entering the bloodstream, which may cause septicemia (blood poisoning). It is a very safe and effective drug. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
5. What should I feed a rabbit who is suffering from mycotoxicosis? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
6. How can I tell if my bunny's food is contaminated? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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7. How prevalent are mycotoxins in animal feed? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Mycotoxin contamination is not an uncommon occurrence in pet foods, especially in (but not limited to) dog food. Corn, wheat middlings and soybeans are the usual "pathway" ingredients. In the past few years, there have been several cases of dog food which contained contaminated wheat middlings (the same ingredient found in many rabbit pellets). More than one hundred dogs fell ill and many died. Mycotoxins were found in two well known brands of dog food and the companies were forced to recall their products due to consumer pressure.
In a "sell it down the road" strategy, grain dealers often dump products which are deemed "unfit for human consumption" on the pet food industry to avoid suffering economic losses. There are few standards or government regulations in place, so pet food companies rarely feel compelled to institute quality-control programs that detect mycotoxins in their products.
Of nearly 100 samples of rabbit feed (30 different products) from the caregivers of both sick and healthy rabbits, from pet stores, from vet clinics, and shipped directly by companies to customers, then tested by several laboratories around the country, 30% have tested positive for mycotoxins. Mycotoxins were found in alfalfa hay, timothy and alfalfa pellets, powdered food intended for sick/baby rabbits, and seed-based feed used by breeders. Recent laboratory test results suggest that the contamination is more prevalent among certain brands. 50% of one specific product contained mycotoxins.
The feeds which tested positive came from households where bunnies were sick or had died. Some samples which tested positive were not fed to rabbits. In two cases, the feed tested positive before the bunnies showed any symptoms; one of these rabbits died a couple of weeks later, both rabbits suffered severe kidney damage.
The mycotoxins found in rabbit feed so far were DON, T-2 and ZEAR. Keep in mind that there are more than 400 mycotoxins and these products were only tested for a few. More sampling, testing and analyses of the effects of mycotoxins on domestic animals are needed. If you have had or wish to have your feed tested, please let me know.
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8. Where can I learn more about mycotoxins? | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Take a look at the following web sites:
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Cristina Forbes, Ph.D.
Licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator Specialty: rabbits
Disclaimer: I am neither a vet nor a toxicologist. This information was obtained from several different sources, including scientific literature, talks with veterinarians, toxicologists, professors of toxicology, laboratory personnel, mycotoxin experts and from my own experience. For more information, call your state's agricultural/vet diagnostic/university laboratory or your county extension office.
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Wednesday, June 23, 2010
Dangers of raw pet foods: Mold and Mycotoxins in Rabbit Feed
Mold and Mycotoxins in Rabbit Feed
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