The Food and Drug Administration has recalled a number of pet foods from Sportmix after at least 28 dogs died and eight others became ill from products high in toxic fungi.
The agency warned pet owners and animal specialists on Wednesday that certain variants of the brand’s pet food “may contain potentially fatal levels of aflatoxin.”
Aflatoxin is a fungus that can grow on corn and other grains used in pet food, the agency said.
Symptoms of aflatoxin poisoning include sluggishness, loss of appetite, diarrhea and vomiting, the agency said.
Pet owners whose animals have eaten the recalled Sportmix products – listed on the FDA site – are urged to contact their veterinarian.
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 recall is still ongoing, we share the facts we have so far as the levels of aflatoxin in the recalled pet food may be fatal,” said Dr. Amber McCoig, deputy director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine of the FDA. of Compliance, it said in a statement.