The Food and Drug Administration has recalled some Sportmix pet foods after the deaths of at least 28 dogs and eight others who fell ill from products with high levels of toxic mold.
The agency warned pet owners and animal specialists on Wednesday that certain varieties of the brand’s pet food “may contain potentially deadly levels of aflatoxin.”
Aflatoxin is a mold that can grow on corn and other grains used in pet food, the agency said.
Symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning include slowness, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and vomiting, according to the agency.
Pet owners whose animals have eaten the recalled Sportmix products (listed on the FDA website) are advised to contact their veterinarians.
The FDA said it is working with the Missouri Department of Agriculture to determine if additional products are also potentially harmful.
“While this pet food memory is still developing, we share the facts we have so far because the levels of aflatoxin found in remembered pet food are life-threatening,” she said. Dr. Amber McCoig, Deputy Director of the Division of the FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine. compliance, he said in a statement.