Do mycotoxins pose a risk for companion animals?

Due to several recalls of different pet food products in the last year, the discussion about the potential risk of mycotoxins in companion animals has increased. Mycotoxins are highly toxic   secondary metabolic products of molds generally produced by Fusarium, Aspergillus and Penicillium species and found on common feedstuffs such as grains. They may cause different toxic effects in animals, called mycotoxicoses, varying from immune suppression, oestrogenic or neurotoxic effects, to death in severe cases.