Black Aspergillus Infection in Dogs: What to Expect

What is Aspergillus niger?

Aspergillus niger is a member of the fungal family, and fungi make up 25% of the total biomass on Earth. While many fungi are harmless, Aspergillus niger is one of the more menacing types.

This fungus can thrive on a variety of substrates, such as straw, grains, paper, walls, and wood. Be aware: when the moisture content of an object exceeds 15% and the surrounding environment's humidity is over 90%, Aspergillus niger can infiltrate through moisture and establish itself within the material!

It is most commonly found in bathrooms, window frames, and the corners of kitchens, even surviving in the cracks between tiles.

Now, you might wonder, why haven't we heard much about Aspergillus niger?

If you have a veterinarian or a friend who raises poultry, especially animals like sheep, cows, and horses, which primarily consume grains, you should be aware. Aspergillus niger particularly enjoys appearing on damp grains. Not only can animals ingest it, but if they rest or play on objects contaminated with Aspergillus niger, they may exhibit a range of unusual symptoms, typically including diarrhea, vomiting, tremors, and potentially even lead to pulmonary hemorrhage and death.

Since the tragic incident of cats dying after dental cleaning in 2007, more and more foreign veterinarians have been urging pet owners to regularly clean the hidden corners of their homes. Unfortunately, I have never seen any domestic education on the relationship between Aspergillus niger and pets.

So, is Aspergillus niger really that terrifying?

Upon contact with human or animal skin, Aspergillus niger releases a toxin called trichothecene, which can damage any cells and tissues it comes into contact with. This toxin can also enter the host's liver and lungs through the bloodstream, causing a variety of可怕的 diseases.

It can impair the liver's hemostatic function, leading to symptoms such as uncontrolled nosebleeds and pulmonary hemorrhage in the host.

Dogs exposed to Aspergillus niger may experience symptoms like runny nose, sneezing, nosebleeds, unsteady gait (joint hemorrhage), loss of appetite, rashes, and sores (commonly found on the abdomen and armpits), drowsiness, and tremors.

Finally, how do we eliminate Aspergillus niger?

Personally, I believe it's best to use a specialized Aspergillus niger cleaner. I do not recommend using disinfectants like 84, as they are not suitable for contemporary household use. These products are more appropriate for public areas, as there are many other disinfectants with lower toxicity that can be used in everyday life.