ATLANTA — Pets living in homes with hidden mold growth following flood or water damage are frequently the first household members to show signs of mycotoxin exposure, according to veterinary toxicologists at the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Dogs and cats spend more time at floor level, where mold spore concentrations are highest. Common symptoms of mold toxicity in pets include persistent coughing, nasal discharge, lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, and in severe cases, neurological signs such as tremors or seizures.
Stachybotrys chartarum, commonly known as black mold, produces mycotoxins that can cause hemorrhagic pneumonitis in dogs — a potentially fatal condition characterized by bleeding into the lungs. Veterinarians report seeing increased cases following major flooding events.
Pet owners who suspect mold exposure should seek veterinary care immediately and inform the treating veterinarian of the home's water damage history. Blood tests, chest X-rays, and bronchoscopy may be used to assess the extent of respiratory involvement.
Professional mold remediation is essential before pets are returned to a water-damaged home. The IICRC S520 standard requires post-remediation verification testing to confirm that mold levels have returned to normal background concentrations.
