Effect of the dry feed contaminated with moulds on the prevalence of alimentary tract disorders in cats.

Abstract

The experiment was performed on the group of 8 kittens aged from 7 to 9 weeks. The aim of the studies was to establish the reasons for alimentary tract disorders and lower gains of body weight occurring in these animals. The cats were fed with commercial dry diet. Morphological and biochemical blood tests were carried out in the animals at the onset of the experiment. The tests were re-performed at the end of the studies, together with bacteriological and mycological cultures of faeces, hygienic litter and internal organs of dead cats. The feed samples underwent microbiological and toxicological analyses. An increase in leukocyte count was recorded on morphological blood inspection while the biochemical tests revealed the rise of AIAT and amylase activities and urea concentration. The moulds of Aspergillus flavus and A. fumigatus were isolated on quality feed assessment. Toxicological analyses of feed performed by means of thin layer chromatography revealed zearalenone within the samples. Technology of dry diet production may not be efficient enough to protect the feed against contamination and subsequent growth of moulds. Consumption of Aspergillus-contaminated feed may result in growth inhibition and alimentary tract disorders, including the fatal ones.