Garbage

Severity scale:
Caution
This toxin is considered to be a moderate risk. However, your pet's medical history, age, weight, and breed could put him/her at higher risk. It is advised that you contact whiskerDocs or your primary veterinarian for further guidance about any steps you may need to take to ensure your pet's safety. If you choose to, you may monitor your pet closely, but the onset or worsening of any of the below symptoms warrants a trip to the emergency room.

While garbage to us is offputting, it often is a sweet delight for dogs and cats. The problem with garbage mainly originates from a product called aflatoxin. Aflatoxin is produced by a family of fungi called Aspergillus and often is found in grain based foods and moldy bread. Aflatoxin causes damage to liver cells, leading to abnormal liver function. Clinical signs of garbage toxicity can include vomiting, diarrhea, decreased appetite, increased body temperature, yellowing of the eyes, skin, and gums, weakness, collapse, seizures, an increase in thirst and urination, and coma. It can take up to three weeks before signs from exposure to this nasty fungus is noted.

Toxic to: 
Dogs and Cats
Part of food: 
All
Symptoms: 
Vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, decreased appetite, tremors, seizures, and increased body temperature
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