How Mold Can Affect Your Furry Friend

Is there mold in your house? It's a crucial topic to address since, if left uncontrolled, mold exposure in dogs (and humans) can lead to significant health concerns.

Mold spores in the air are constantly present in your dog's environment and can affect certain dogs more than others, just like humans. You can protect your dog from the dangerous effects of mold by learning how to recognize and handle mold exposure.

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What is Mold, and How Does It Affect You?

Mold is a fungus that thrives in damp environments. Mold thrives in moist, shaded environments outside. Mold can grow indoors in any area of your home that gets wet and absorbs moisture. Mold spreads through the release of spores into the air that can grow on almost any surface.

Condensation, high humidity, and water leaks can cause moisture problems in homes. Every home contains the ingredients for mold growth: moisture, oxygen, and organic matter. Mold can cause structural damage to your home and potentially pricey repairs. Even worse, it can be harmful to the health of the humans and pets who reside there.

Mold exposure has been linked to a variety of health problems in humans. According to the CDC, it can cause nasal stuffiness, eye irritation, wheezing, and skin irritation. Fever and shortness of breath are examples of more severe reactions. Mold infections in the lungs can occur in people with chronic lung diseases.

Mold may make people sick, but did you know that it can also make animals sick, including your dog? Let's take a closer look at how mold affects dogs.

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Is Mold Bad for Dogs?

Yes, mold is harmful to dogs (as well as people). Mold exposure in dogs can result in a variety of health problems, including:

• Lung and respiratory issues
• Damage to the gastrointestinal tract
• Serious digestive problems
• Allergic reactions
• Neurological issues, including tremors and seizures

While mold's acute effects are usually manageable in the short term, long-term exposure can be more severe and difficult to manage. If left unchecked, mold exposure can cause organ damage, leading to more serious issues.

In 2007, a veterinarian discovered pulmonary hemorrhages in two cats during pre-op procedures, highlighting the dangers of mold exposure in pets. Both cats died as a result of complications. According to the study, the home was infested with mold due to flood damage.

The Truth About Black Mold

Does black mold make dogs sick? You may have heard that black mold is the deadliest form, but is this statement true? Mold comes in approximately 100,000 different varieties, many of which look similar. Because these mold species appear in various colors, it's difficult to tell them apart just by looking. Mold poisoning in dogs is a serious problem, so what should you be on the lookout for?

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Dog Mold Exposure Symptoms

Symptoms of mold exposure in dogs include:

• Respiratory distress (rapid or labored breathing)
• Nasal discharge
• Coughing, wheezing, sneezing
• Lethargy
• Bleeding from the mouth and nose

Excessive scratching, chewing, or licking in some dogs can trigger an allergic reaction, resulting in hair loss and painful blisters.

If your dog eats mold, they may experience decreased appetite, vomiting, and feces changes.

Mold exposure symptoms and signs can be mistaken for those of other illnesses. It's good to take your dog to the vet if they exhibit any of the symptoms mentioned above.

Mold Exposure in Dogs Over Time

Mold can lead to a slew of other issues over time. Aspergillosis is an opportunistic fungal infection. It is one of the long-term effects of mold exposure in dogs and is most commonly found in nasal passages (nasal aspergillosis).

Symptoms of nasal aspergillosis include:

• Nasal pain, swelling, discharge
• Nose bleeds
• Sneezing
• Reduced appetite

Note: Disseminated aspergillosis is a systemic form of aspergillosis. Spinal discomfort, bone inflammation, fever, vomiting, and weight loss are all symptoms of disseminated aspergillosis in animals. After being exposed to mold, these symptoms usually appear gradually. Disseminated aspergillosis, on the other hand, is uncommon. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, it's most common in middle-aged female German Shepherds. Dogs with weakened immune systems are likewise more vulnerable.

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Where Can You Find Mold in Your House?

The basement is a high-risk area for water leaks and mold because of its underground location. According to a recent survey, 55% of homeowners and renters have lived in a home with a wet basement. Water loves to find ways inside that aren't immediately evident, and those are the locations where mold thrives.

Look for mold in these less visible spots in your home:

Cluttered Areas

Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can't circulate the air efficiently if it's blocked by clutter. Condensation can collect on your curtains and vents, resulting in a wet atmosphere conducive to mold growth.

Steamy Environments

Kitchens, baths, laundry rooms, and other steamy and humid places require suitable ventilation fans to remove the wet air. Mold growth can develop when these don't work (or are not turned on).

Dripping Water

Leaky pipes and drips from condensation that forms windows create conditions for mold to grow.

Refrigerator Drip Pan

Standing water in the drip pan remains unseen and unattended, creating the perfect environment for mold growth.

Ducts for Air Conditioning

Due to organic debris, standing water, or humidity, mold can form in your air conditioning ducts.

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How To Keep Mold?from Taking Over Your Home

It's critical to remove existing mold and prevent mold growth to keep your dog and your family safe from mold.

• Mold can grow on the underside of hidden areas such as ceiling tiles, drywall, carpets, and wallpaper, which can attract and retain moisture.?
• Keep the interior of your home as dry as possible. Repair any leaks in your basement, roof, pipes, windows, or other spots where water collects due to drips or condensation.
• Ensure your bathroom and kitchen fans and any other ventilation devices are working correctly. Don't set your HVAC fan to the on position but instead set it to auto when your AC is in use in the summer to control humidity.
• If water seeps in, clean it up as quickly as possible and completely dry the area.

As humidity is one of the leading factors in mold growth, it is important to keep it in check. Optimal indoor RH should be between 45% - 55%.?According to the IICRC anything 66% and above will promote mold growth inside.?A digital tabletop hygrometer is a great item to have in your home to keep an eye on the humidity levels. If you find large areas of mold, consider hiring a professional mold remediation company such as Rainbow International of Greenville SC to clean it up for you.

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When Should You Hire a Professional?

It's crucial to note that mold infestations are often more complicated than you visibly see. Hiring a professional is the best option if you fear you have hidden mold or if the moldy area is too vast to clean on your own.

A general contractor or handyman may or may not be qualified to supervise the project. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends you "make sure the contractor has experience cleaning up mold."

Professional Mold Removal and Remediation Services

When you hire a professional to assess the situation and remove mold from your home, expect the process to look something like this:

• First, the company should check your property and tell you how bad your mold problem is. Request a timetable (containing the length of time certain portions of your home will be unavailable to you) and information on how to prepare and what to expect. Your family will not have access to rooms or places where the mold cleanup crew operates for your safety.
• The mold removal specialist will use plastic sheeting to close off the work area, preventing mold spores from migrating into the air. You may have to turn off your heating and cooling systems depending on where the work is performed.
• Mold-affected building materials will be removed and discarded (drywall, insulation, baseboards, carpeting, etc.)
• Reputable remediation companies will utilize antimicrobial agents to clean the mold and stains, in addition to high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) vacuums and air filtration to eliminate mold spores.

A mold removal company should be able to show you where the water is entering and how it is getting in. Remember that moisture is what permits mold to grow, so take precautions to keep water out in the future.

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Consult with your veterinarian if you believe your dog has been unwell due to mold exposure. They may overlook the potential that your dog's ailments are caused by mold. In addition to treating your dog's symptoms, inspect your home for hidden mold and hire a professional like Rainbow International of Greenville SC if you can't do the cleanup yourself.