Mycotoxins are toxic chemicals produced by (fungi) molds.
Modern farming practices are depressing the plant’s immune systems and microbiome, making them more prone to severe fungal infections. Mycotoxins can develop in the field pre-harvest and during storage post-harvest. Post harvest mycotoxins develop when high moisture feed is not stored properly. If consumed by livestock these chemicals can have toxic effects on the animals. Cleaning moldy grains can help reduce levels of mycotoxins, as the fines usually have the highest amounts. Mycotoxins rarely occur in isolation; Additive and synergistic effects can make seemingly low levels of mycotoxins dangerously detrimental to animal health.
Heat treatments and processing DO NOT inactivate mycotoxins. Don’t forget that finished feeds with and without by-products can be a significant source of mycotoxins. Some feed mills have better quality control than others.
Preventing Post-Harvest Mycotoxins
Poor storage and inadequate bunk feed-out are two controllable variables in the reduction of mycotoxins for silages. Aeration mycotoxins and refermentation mycotoxins can be very dangerous to animal health. Farmers must make sure as little air as possible gets into the bunks when scraping off feed and must keep moisture out.
Keep grain stored cool and dry. Clean out bins before new crop
Silage- prevent air from penetrating when taking off the face of a bunk or bag. Use a defacer or similar. Harvest at right moisture and ensure silage is packed tight enough and use a forage product to ensure proper fermentation...Bio-lac/Seaweed/Sugar.
Testing
Visual inspection is not reliable. Mycotoxins are tiny molecules the are not visible. On the other side…the presence of visual molds does not always mean mycotoxins are present. There are 1000+ Mycotoxins out there. Bio-Ag now offers a test called Myco 7 which test for the presence of 7 common mycotoxins. Mycotoxins almost never occur in isolation. If you have one mycotoxin chances are you will have more accompanying it. Additive and synergistic effects can make seemingly low levels of mycotoxins dangerously detrimental to animal health.
Signs and Symptoms of Mycotoxins in Poultry
Immune suppression symptoms
Gut disturbances/oral erosions
Uneven growth patterns
Ruffled feathers
Turkeys are more sensitive than broilers • Young birds are more sensitive than older birds.
Mycotoxins Change Gut Microbiome
Mycotoxins damage intestinal cells and gut environment. Beneficial bacteria are killed off. Gut immunity is compromised and parasites such as coccidia can take over. Clostridia thrive in mucoid environment induced by chronic inflammation.
Reproductive system
Always keep in mind when presented with reproductive issues, this includes egg quality in layers! Immune system – All mycotoxins a ffect immune system and suppress it, should be on the list when having disease outbreaks.
General Signs
Most other symptoms come from indirect cause of which immunosuppression is the main sign. This means increased susceptibility to disease and vaccine failure.
Often times waxing and waning symptoms and growth are a sign that there is a problem. This will present as variability in uniformity of bird weights.
Ruffled feathers from compromised nutrient absorption and protein synthesis.
Oral lesions can be visible as mycotoxins are caustic. The feed particles sit in mouth. Lesions can occur in esophagus as well. Look for a rough appearance and can ulcerate and bleed. Lesions can go all the way down to gizzard and proventriculus and contents will reflux upwards.
Condemnations of liver. Aflatoxins are especially hepatotoxic but many other mycotoxins also damage the liver. Pancreatic enzymatic activity harmed by aflatoxin and so feed isn’t digested properly. Mycotoxins can impair kidney function. Swollen kidneys, urates and dehydration.
Gastrointestinal tract is damaged. Mycotoxins kill rapidly dividing cells, these include intestinal cells and immune cells. See signs such as enteritis, diarrhea, slick feces, and shiny feces from fat malabsorption.
Specific signs
Fusarium toxins can cause bowed legs and knocked knees in turkeys.
Ergots can cause claws and combs to become black and fall off.
Signs and Symptoms of Mycotoxins in Dairy Cattle
Gut disturbances
High SCC
Low Milk
Freshening cows are at highest risk for developing illness due to mycotoxin exposure. They have the highest stress. When a cow doesn’t eat (drop in feed intake at calving) the gut loses integrity and becomes leaky allowing mycotoxins to be more easily absorbed. Mycotoxins will damage the gut lining. Rumen microbiome and fermentation becomes dysfunctional when molds are ingested. Think of how penicillin is an antibiotic. Colostrum and even milk can contain mycotoxins, calves can become sick when drink this milk. High SCC, Mastitis and Metritis can also be a sign of mycotoxin issues because if the immune suppressive effects.
General Signs
Gastroenteritis
Bloody stool
Inconsistent manure quality is frequently a sign
Reduced Dry Matter Intake
Suppressed immune function
Reproductive failure
Signs and Symptoms of Mycotoxins in Swine
Gut disturbances
Fertility issues
Failure to respond to veterinary treatment
All mycotoxins have an impact on growth and immune system. Combinations of mycotoxins can make symptoms unpredictable.
Immune System Depression
Vaccines don’t work
High rate of disease
Lack of response to medical treatment (antibiotics)
How does your dog like to spend her energy? Does she love running with you through the forest? Heading to a café with you and soaking up the sun? Is she everybody’s best friend at the dog park?
Norman’s Naturals is the perfect choice for her because whatever she’s up to, she needs energy that lasts all day long.
Barley is a whole grain that supports your dog’s digestive health. It is a great source of fibre, carbohydrates, and B vitamins. It also provides your dog with a source of iron and selenium.
Barley is also a source of methionine and cysteine. These amino acids are important for your dog’s heart health.
Your special girl deserves the best dog food. With a balance of natural ingredients, Norman’s Naturals will deliver on nutrition and it tastes great too!
Oats are a whole-grain that provide lasting energy to your dog, so she has lots of energy to chew her toys, romp through the snow, and wrestle with her friends.
There are many wonderful benefits of feeding oats to your dog.
FIBRE: Oats provide your dog with fibre, which is essential for gut health.
METHIONINE AND CYSTEINE: Oats are high in methionine and cysteine. These amino acids are important for your dog’s heart health.
CARBOHYDRATES: Oats are an excellent source of carbohydrates and provide your dog with the energy to hike, swim, and play with her friends.
PROTEIN: Oats are also a great source of protein.
B VITAMINS: Oats are rich in B vitamins.
LINOLEIC ACID: Oats are full of linoleic acid. This is a type of omega-6 fatty acid that helps keep skin strong and healthy.
After reading this, you may be craving a bowl of healthy oatmeal for yourself. It’s great to know that this nutritious food has health benefits for you and your best friend too!
~Guest Contributor, Alyssa Foulkes
Alyssa is a local dog trainer based in Guelph, Ontario.
Visit Norman's Naturals.com to order your bag today!
Subscription orders are now available!
Peas are a dependable source of plant protein and also contain vitamin K, manganese, fibre, and carbohydrates.
In well-balanced diets, pulses (that’s lentils, beans, peas, and chickpeas) are not harmful to dogs.
A couple of years ago, pulses got blamed for causing dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs. The media pointed the finger at pulses, while animal nutritionists shook their heads. The media was misinformed.
Here are 10 facts to help you understand that peas are not the enemy:
Breeds with the highest prevalence of DCM include Dobermans, Boxers, Great Danes, Newfoundlands, Irish Wolfhounds, English Cocker Spaniels, and Portuguese Water Dogs.
Your dog requires the amino acid, taurine, in their diet to maintain a healthy heart.
Your dog can convert methionine and cysteine into taurine in their body.
Your dog’s physiological need for taurine varies with their breed, age, and sex.
Obesity and diabetes have been related to lower levels of taurine in dogs, so it’s very important to keep your dog at a healthy weight.
Your dog’s food should be fortified with taurine and/or its precursors (methionine and cysteine.)
Researchers have found a link between low blood taurine concentration and DCM in breeds such as Scottish Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Dalmatians, Boxers, Newfoundlands, Portuguese Water Dogs, English Setters, and Alaskan Malamutes. Providing these dogs with taurine improved their cardiac function.
Animal nutritionists combine multiple ingredients to ensure that your dog receives a healthy and balanced diet.
Pulses have been used in pet food for two decades to provide quality protein and fibre sources.
Peas are a great source of fibre that can help control body weight.
Norman’s Naturals includes real chicken, barley, oats, and rice, so your dog gets the methionine, cysteine, and taurine she needs. We also include DL-methionine.
Your dog deserves quality nutrition. Our delicious Chicken and Rice blend is balanced, tasty, and sure to provide your dog with lasting energy.
~Guest Contributor, Alyssa Foulkes
Alyssa is a local dog trainer based in Guelph, Ontario.
Visit Norman's Naturals.com to order your bag today!
Subscription orders are now available!
BROWN RICE: Why Natural Whole Grains are Good for Dogs
Brown rice is a natural whole grain. It provides your dog with essential vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and amino acids. It is also a great source of fibre.
There are so many benefits to including brown rice as your dog’s source of fibre. By slowing down transit time, fibre helps to keep your dog feeling full for longer.
A diet high in fibre is also a great nutritional strategy for controlling your dog’s body weight. By keeping your dog a healthy body weight, you’re preventing her from getting diseases like diabetes. You’re also making sure that her joints stay healthy, so she can enjoy pain-free walks with you and her dog friends too.
Having a high-quality fibre source is very important to your dog’s gut health.
Have you heard of prebiotics?
Prebiotics are foods that are typically high in fibre that acts as food for the microflora in your gut.
Fibre can act as a prebiotic and increase the number of health-promoting microbiota in the gut, including lactobacilli and bifidobacteria.
There are other benefits to including brown rice in Norman’s Naturals as well.
Did you know that brown rice is a source of methionine and cysteine (amino acids important to your dog’s heart health?)
There’s another important reason for including healthy fibre in your dog’s diet. That’s right: high-quality fibre can reduce the incidence of diarrhea.
Whether your dog loves dashing through the snow, playing with friends at doggy daycare, or leaping through hoops at agility class, Norman’s Naturals will give them the energy they need to make every day their best day.
~Guest Contributor, Alyssa Foulkes
Alyssa is a local dog trainer based in Guelph, Ontario.
Visit Norman's Naturals.com to order your bag today!
Subscription orders are now available!
Dogs need high-quality proteins to provide them with energy to run and play.
Chicken meal is an extremely rich protein. It is made of muscle meat.
Unlike chicken byproduct, chicken meal is made of 100% chicken meat. It is a trustworthy and consistent source of protein.
Chicken is also a source of methionine, cysteine, and taurine (amino acids important to your dog’s heart health.)
Did you know that dogs can convert the amino acids methionine and cysteine into taurine in their body?
It’s very important that your dog gets enough taurine in its diet because low levels of taurine in the blood can lead to heart issues like dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM.)
Cases of DCM related to low levels of taurine in the blood have been reported in many different breeds, including Scottish Terriers, Cocker Spaniels, Dalmatians, Boxers, Newfoundlands, Portuguese Water Dogs, English Setters, and Alaskan Malamutes. Providing these dogs with taurine improved their cardiac function.
Question: Which breeds are genetically predisposed to DCM?
Answer: Breeds with the highest prevalence of DCM include Dobermans, Boxers, Great Danes, Newfoundlands, Irish Wolfhounds, English Cocker Spaniels, and Portuguese Water Dogs.
By carefully selecting high-quality food for your best friend, you will reduce the risk of your dog developing DCM.
Question: What about flavour?
Answer: Our Chicken and Brown Rice blend tips the scale on flavour. Just ask Moose!
Moose is a Doberman Pinscher, who was an extremely picky eater. He turned his nose up at every kibble until he found Norman’s Naturals. Three years later, it’s still the only food he’ll eat! He needs energy for the long hikes he loves to take with his owner.
What’s your dog’s favourite activity? Leave a comment below!
~Guest Contributor, Alyssa Foulkes
Alyssa is a local dog trainer based in Guelph, Ontario.
Visit Norman's Naturals.com to order your bag today!
Subscription orders are now available!
Is your dog overweight because your last trainer told you to feed her hotdogs? You fed her as strangers approached, as dogs walked by, and every time you saw a squirrel. You fed her every time she sat, every time she lay down, and every time she barked out the window. Sometimes when you fed her, you thought, “Am I reinforcing her for barking out the window, though?”
Your gut instinct was right. Your dog learned that when she barks out the window, the next thing she should do is run to you and get a nice piece of hotdog. What an awesome game!
Your veterinarian says that if your dog doesn’t lose weight, she’ll need knee surgery. She’s also at risk of getting diabetes.
How are you going to get your dog to listen to you without the hotdogs?
One of my newer clients called me for help with her rescue dog. She’d been training with food, but quickly realized that when her dog is outside and fixated on another dog (or person) she could “wave a steak in front of his face and he wouldn’t notice.”
Sound familiar?
Here are some training tips to help you reach your goal of a friendly family dog who is nice to strangers, doesn’t pull on the leash, and is a healthy weight too:
WHAT DOES YOUR DOG LOVE? — Your dog loves YOU! She will likely work for your praise. You should use your voice to praise your dog. Be aware that dogs who are very high drive and excited already don’t need your “Good sit!” to have as much enthusiasm as if your child just got into the university of their choice. All dogs are snowflakes. Figure out whether a calmer tone helps your dog know she’s done a good job, or if you need a little more enthusiasm (because your dog is a little bit shy and requires more encouragement.)
TOUCH — Along with your voice, some dogs are very happy to work for being petted. We’ve all seen a police dog getting thumped on the rump for a job well done. That doesn’t mean YOUR pet dog enjoys that much enthusiasm and force. Some dogs like that and some dogs don’t. Your dog may be a little shy and likes a gentle chest rub. Bottom line, know YOUR dog.
TOYS — Your dog loves tug o’ war. Use this to your advantage. Your tug toy is now your dog’s reward. Ask them to heel, lay down, or sit and reward them with a bit of tug. Before using this method, teach your dog a reliable “drop it” command.
PRO TIP: Dogs love to work for food and will often work for their food ration. Instead of using unhealthy, fattening hotdogs use their daily ration of Norman’s Naturals for training rewards.
We hope you have lots of fun learning about what motivates YOUR dog. Drop a comment below and let us know what your dog loves to work for.
~Alyssa Foulkes, MSc, Dog Behaviourist
Alyssa loves helping dog lovers build better relationships with their dogs. Beyond Dog Training offers in-home, in-car, and online training in Guelph, ON and the surrounding area.
Our animal nutritionist selects quality ingredients to ensure your dog lives a long and healthy life. By combining a variety of different nutrients, she ensures that our kibble is both balanced and tasty.
By carefully selecting a variety of meat, grains, legumes, and even amino acids, our nutritionist makes sure that your dog gets the necessary nutrients he requires.
Here are our top five ingredients:
CHICKEN MEAL
Chicken meal is an extremely rich protein. It is made of muscle meat. Chicken is a great source of methionine and taurine (amino acids important to your dog’s heart health).
BROWN RICE
Brown rice is a natural whole grain. It provides your dog with essential vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and amino acids. It is also a great source of fibre.
WHOLE PEAS
Peas are a dependable source of plant protein and also contain vitamin K, manganese, fibre, and carbohydrates.
WHOLE OATS
Oats are high in methionine and cysteine. These amino acids are important for your dog’s heart health. Oats are a whole grain and provide lasting energy to your dog.
BARLEY
We use this whole grain to support your dog’s digestive health. It is an excellent source of fibre, carbohydrates, and B vitamins.
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