Canine Mycotoxicosis–A Comprehensive Literature Review

Fungi are a diverse group of organisms that possess multiple beneficial properties for human, animal, and ecological health, including the degradation of environmental pollutants, agricultural research, and medicinal and pharmaceutical therapies. Despite these vital applications, certain fungi are responsible for the death of many each year, with untold financial implications. Penitrems, aflatoxins, citrinin, ochratoxins, among others, are mycotoxins, or secondary metabolites produced by filamentous fungi that may cause a clinically significant toxic response (mycotoxicosis) when ingested by animals. These mycotoxins are naturally occurring contaminants and appear in widely consumed feedstuffs. Dogs are unusually susceptible to their hepatotoxic, nephrotoxic, immunosuppressive, and carcinogenic effects. Mycotoxins are rapidly absorbed in canines, and with high morbidity and mortality rates, treatment is mainly supportive, and euthanasia (or death) is often elected. This paper comprehensively reviewed the current literature on mycotoxins, specifically tremorgenic mycotoxins, aflatoxins, and ochratoxins in companion animals, with a primary emphasis on canines. Electronic databases were reviewed for published articles between 1969 and the present, and 50 articles were identified for inclusion. Our review suggests a widespread gap in information on the diagnosis and treatment of companion animal mycotoxicosises and the risk of chronic exposure to mycotoxin contamination of dog food is underexplored. And given that signs may masquerade as a variety of diseases, it is postulated that mycotoxicoses have a far greater prevalence than what has been consistently thought. There is a need to create standardized diagnostic means and reporting to eliminate inconsistencies in treatment strategies and improve patient survival outcomes.