Toxic Mold May Pose Health Threat to Pets

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Toxic Mold May Pose Health Threat to Pets

PR Newswire (press release) - New York,NY*

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SCHAUMBURG, Ill., Sept. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- The deaths of two cats from

what is believed to be the first documented case of toxic black mold

poisoning in pets point to a new health concern for pet owners,

accordingto a veterinarian who co-authors a report in the Sept. 1,

2007, issue of the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical

Association.

Mader, a veterinary specialist in Marathon, Fla., was

performing routine dental procedures on two cats when he noticed

frothy blood within endotracheal tubes used to supply anesthesia to

the animals.The veterinarian immediately stopped the procedures, but

both animals died-- one the following day, the other about two weeks

later.

" The circumstances of these cases are just not heard of, " Mader

said. " Anesthesia doesn't cause pulmonary hemorrhage [bleeding from

the lungs.] " These were healthy, indoor cats. Examinations conducted

prior to the dental cleanings showed no indications of illness.

Blood collected prior to the cats' death was tested and demonstrated

the presence of the toxin produced by Stachybotrys chartarum, also

known as " toxic black mold. " Exposure to the mold can cause

respiratory-related health problems, pulmonary hemorrhage and death

in people. It had not previously been associated with disease in

pets, Mader said.

The toxin from the black mold causes a weakening of the capillaries

in the lungs. When the capillaries are stressed, they burst and

bleed. The cats died from complications arising from the pulmonary

hemorrhage.

The cats lived in a home that sustained water damage during a

hurricane in October 2005, seven months prior to the development of

pulmonary hemorrhage. After Mader discovered the presence of the

toxins, he urged the cats' owners to check their home for mold.

" Sure enough, they had very severe mold contamination in their

walls, "

Mader said.Mader hopes the report will raise awareness that

illnesses associated with mold can also affect pets, particularly

those living in flood-prone areas. He also suggests pet owners share

more information with their veterinarian.

" I think the most important thing is for clients to be aware of

things in their environment that could potentially impact the health

of animals, " Mader said. " They need to let their veterinarian know. "

The AVMA and its more than 75,000 member veterinarians are engaged

in a wide variety of activities dedicated to advancing the science

and art of animal, human and public health. Visit the AVMA Web site

at http://www.avma.org for more information.

SOURCE American Veterinary Medical Association