Emergency — phone the vet now
Within 2 hours
Dog has eaten mouldy food (mycotoxin poisoning)
Mouldy food can contain tremorgenic mycotoxins — phone the vet; tremors and seizures can develop within hours.
Recognise the signs
- Vomiting, drooling
- Tremors, twitching, sometimes severe
- Hyperthermia from muscle activity
- Wobbliness, restlessness
- Seizures in severe cases
First aid steps
- Phone vet or Animal PoisonLine.
- Note product, amount, time.
Do NOT
- Do not delay if tremors develop.
- Do not assume mouldy food is just a stomach upset risk.
While transporting to the vet
- Bring sample if safely possible.
When to phone the vet immediately
- Tremors, seizures
- Hyperthermia
Common causes
- Compost heaps
- Bin-raiding for mouldy bread, cheese, nuts
- Walnuts, mouldy cheese on walks (parks)
- Spoiled food left out
What the vet will need to know
- Specific food
- Time eaten
- Symptoms
Aftercare
- Decontamination, anti-tremor medication, IV fluids, cooling.
- Most recover fully with treatment.
Prevention
- Compost bin secured.
- Bin discipline.
- Pick up windfall apples, nuts.
Frequently asked questions
Is all mould dangerous?
Tremorgenic mycotoxins are produced by some moulds, particularly on dairy, nuts, bread, fermenting fruit. Treat all mouldy food ingestion seriously.
What about a tiny bit of cheese mould?
Phone the vet — small amounts may not cause issues, but better to confirm.
Will my compost heap kill my dog?
It can — secure it. Many emergency cases come from compost-raiding.