Michael Davis
Dogs are naturally curious creatures with a strong sense of smell, which is why it's important to be aware of the dangers that toxic mushrooms pose to them. There are over 10,000 known mushroom species, and while many are safe and edible, some can cause serious liver damage and even death. The problem is that mushrooms can grow quickly in backyards, and it can be hard to identify which ones are dangerous. The most common toxic mushrooms, like the aptly-named Death Cap or Death Angel (Amanita phalloides), can cause acute liver failure in dogs, and the onset of symptoms may be delayed, giving owners a false sense of security. Other types of mushrooms that can cause liver damage include Psilocybin (magic) mushrooms, Gyromitra species (often mistaken for morels), and Scleroderma species (commonly known as earthballs). If you suspect your dog has ingested any type of mushroom, it's crucial to seek veterinary care immediately.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Common names | Death cap, Death angel, Amanita phalloides, Amanita Muscaria |
| Species | Amanita, Galerina, Lepiota, Psilocybin, Hydrazines, Isoxazole, Gyromitra, Scleroderma, Cortinarius spp |
| Toxins | Amanitins, Gyromitrin |
| Symptoms | Weakness, lack of coordination, tremors, hallucinations, vocalisations, disorientation, agitation, altered mentation, drooling, vomiting, seizures, kidney injury, excessive salivation, gastrointestinal issues, liver failure |
| Treatment | Induce vomiting, gastric lavage, intravenous fluids, medications, hospitalisation, liver-support medications |
| Prevention | Monitor backyard, leash dogs in areas with mushrooms, use mushroom identifier app |
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What You'll Learn
- Amanita mushrooms, also known as 'death caps' or 'death angels', are toxic and cause liver failure in dogs
- Psilocybin, or 'magic' mushrooms, cause neurological disturbances, including hallucinations
- Gyromitra species, often mistaken for morels, contain gyromitrin, which causes vomiting and seizures
- Hydrazine mushrooms, which contain the toxin gyromitrin, can cause liver damage
- Scleroderma species, known as 'earthballs', cause gastrointestinal issues and liver failure
Amanita mushrooms, also known as 'death caps' or 'death angels', are toxic and cause liver failure in dogs
Amanita mushrooms, also known as death caps or death angels, are toxic and cause liver failure in dogs. They are the most poisonous of all known mushrooms and are responsible for the majority of fatal mushroom poisonings worldwide.
Amanita phalloides, also known as the death cap, is the type species of Amanita section Phalloideae, a group that contains all of the deadly poisonous Amanita species identified so far. It is estimated that just half a mushroom contains enough toxin to kill an adult human.
The toxins of the death cap mushroom primarily target the liver, but other organs, such as the kidneys, are also affected. Symptoms of ingestion usually occur 6 to 24 hours after ingestion, with pets first experiencing gastrointestinal distress and then quickly moving into liver failure. Death can occur within one or two days of exposure in severe cases.
If you suspect your dog has ingested a toxic mushroom, it is important to get them to a veterinarian as soon as possible. While the exact species of mushroom may not always be identifiable, it is helpful to bring a piece of the mushroom wrapped in a damp paper towel to show the veterinarian.
To treat mushroom toxicity in dogs, veterinarians may induce vomiting to remove mushrooms from the stomach. A GI medication called activated charcoal can also be administered to bind with the toxin and prevent its absorption. In addition, gastric lavage may be performed to eliminate any remaining mushrooms from the stomach, and intravenous (IV) fluids will be given to combat dehydration and flush toxins from the body.
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Psilocybin, or 'magic' mushrooms, cause neurological disturbances, including hallucinations
It is important to note that all wild mushrooms that dogs encounter may be toxic. If you suspect that your dog has ingested a mushroom, it is crucial to act quickly and seek veterinary assistance immediately. While cases of toxicity in pets are rare, the damage can be severe and even life-threatening.
Psilocybin, commonly known as "magic mushrooms," is a hallucinogenic compound found in certain mushroom varieties. It is a classic psychedelic that has been used by humans for potentially as long as 8,000 years. Psilocybin works by binding to and activating serotonin receptors in the brain, particularly in areas such as the prefrontal cortex and amygdala, which influence mood, cognition, and perception.
Consuming psilocybin can lead to neurological disturbances, including hallucinations. These hallucinations can be visual or auditory, causing individuals to see, hear, or feel things that are not there. This sense of reality can be distorted, leading to a mixing of the senses, such as believing they can see music or hear colours. Additionally, psilocybin can induce heightened emotions, heightened senses, euphoria, anxiety, fear, paranoia, and muscle twitches, accompanied by increased heart rate and blood pressure.
The onset of neurological symptoms associated with psilocybin ingestion is rapid, typically occurring within 30 to 90 minutes, and lasting for four to six hours. The effects of psilocybin can vary widely, and adverse side effects may be mild or moderate, resolving with time. However, some individuals may experience a "bad trip," characterised by frightening experiences, paranoia, loss of boundaries, and a distorted sense of self. While psilocybin is not considered addictive, regular use can lead to tolerance, and higher doses increase the risk of negative experiences.
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Gyromitra species, often mistaken for morels, contain gyromitrin, which causes vomiting and seizures
It is important to be cautious when foraging for mushrooms in the wild to avoid consuming ones that may be toxic. Gyromitra species, often mistaken for morels, contain gyromitrin, which is toxic to dogs and can cause vomiting and seizures.
Gyromitrin is a toxin and carcinogen present in several members of the fungal genus Gyromitra, such as G. esculenta, also known as the 'false morel'. False morels are so named for their resemblance to the highly regarded true morels of the genus Morchella. Gyromitrin is a hydrazine compound that is rapidly broken down upon heating or in acidic environments into N, N-methyl formyl hydrazine (monomethylhydrazine, MMH) and acetaldehyde.
The formation of MMH in a stomach is likely a result of the acid hydrolysis of gyromitrin. MMH acts on the central nervous system and interferes with the normal use and function of vitamin B6. Poisoning results in nausea, stomach cramps, and diarrhea, while severe poisoning can result in convulsions, jaundice, or even coma or death. Gyromitrin is considered a gastrointestinal irritant, leading to clinical signs of vomiting, abdominal pain, and diarrhea 6-12 hours after ingestion of the poisonous mushroom.
Gyromitra species are abundant and popular due to their delicious taste, particularly in the Nordic countries. Some of them are nontoxic, while others, including the widely distributed G. esculenta, contain toxic levels of gyromitrin. The toxic qualities of G. esculenta may be reduced by cooking, but this may not be sufficient to prevent poisoning from repeated consumption. It is recommended that fresh mushrooms be cut into small pieces and parboiled twice in a large volume of water for at least five minutes, and the mushroom should be thoroughly rinsed after each boiling.
If you suspect your dog has ingested a toxic mushroom, get them to a veterinarian as soon as possible. While the exact species of mushroom may not be identifiable, bringing a piece of the mushroom wrapped in a damp paper towel can help with identification. Prompt treatment is critical to a successful outcome.
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Hydrazine mushrooms, which contain the toxin gyromitrin, can cause liver damage
While there are many non-toxic mushrooms, it is safest to assume that all wild mushrooms are toxic until proven otherwise. This is especially true if you own a dog, as they are sickened and killed each year after eating toxic mushrooms. If you suspect that your dog has ingested a toxic mushroom, it is important to get them to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Time is of the essence in these situations, as the quicker the response, the better the chances of a positive outcome.
One group of mushrooms that can cause liver damage in dogs is the hepatotoxic group, which includes the aptly-named "Death Cap" or "Death Angel" mushrooms (Amanita phalloides). These mushrooms are responsible for acute liver failure in dogs, which can lead to death within one or two days of exposure in severe cases. The toxins in these mushrooms, called amanitins, travel to the liver, where they kill liver cells and can cause liver failure. The onset of signs with these mushrooms can be delayed by 6-12 hours, giving owners a false sense of security. However, once symptoms do occur, they can progress quickly, and the underlying liver failure can lead to jaundice, weakness, lethargy, and even coma.
Another group of mushrooms that can cause liver damage in dogs is the hydrazine group, which contains the toxin gyromitrin. Gyromitrin can cause vomiting, seizures, and liver damage. The onset of signs with these mushrooms is more rapid, typically occurring within 30-90 minutes of ingestion. Other groups of mushrooms that can cause liver damage in dogs include the nephrotoxic group, which can affect the kidneys, and the neurotoxic group, which can cause neurological signs such as tremors and seizures.
If your dog has ingested a toxic mushroom, your veterinarian will perform a complete physical exam and take blood and urine samples to determine organ function. They may also take a sample of your dog's stomach contents to help identify the mushroom ingested. Treatment for mushroom toxicity in dogs depends on the type of mushroom ingested, the clinical signs, and how recently ingestion occurred. In some cases, your veterinarian may induce vomiting to remove the mushrooms from your dog's stomach or administer a GI medication called activated charcoal to bind with the toxin and prevent its absorption. Early diagnosis and aggressive treatment are crucial for a successful outcome.
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Scleroderma species, known as 'earthballs', cause gastrointestinal issues and liver failure
It is important to note that all wild mushrooms that dogs encounter should be assumed to be toxic. If you suspect that your dog has ingested a mushroom, it is critical to seek veterinary assistance as soon as possible. While the exact species may not always be identifiable, time is of the essence in treating mushroom toxicity.
Scleroderma species, commonly known as earthballs, are toxic to both humans and animals. Scleroderma citrinum, or the common earthball, is the most prevalent variety in the United Kingdom, thriving in woods, heathlands, and short grass during autumn and winter. Other Scleroderma species include the Leopard Earthball (Scleroderma Areolatum) and the Scaly Earthball (Scleroderma Verrucosum), which are also considered toxic.
Earthballs are similar in appearance to edible puffballs but differ in texture and colour. They have a rough, earth-toned exterior, a yellowish peridium (outer skin), and firmer flesh. While they are not widely consumed due to their unpleasant taste and texture, accidental ingestion can lead to adverse effects.
Consumption of Scleroderma species, or earthballs, by dogs can result in gastrointestinal issues and liver failure. Gastrointestinal distress typically occurs within 6-12 hours of ingestion, followed by a rapid progression to liver failure, which can be fatal within one to two days if left untreated. Therefore, it is crucial to seek immediate veterinary attention if you suspect your dog has ingested earthballs or any other type of wild mushroom.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms from the Amanita family, such as the "Death Cap" or "Death Angel" mushrooms, are toxic to dogs and can cause liver failure. Other types of mushrooms that are toxic to dogs' livers include the Psilocybin (“magic”), hydrazines, and isoxazole mushrooms.
Signs of mushroom toxicity in dogs vary depending on the species of mushroom and the amount consumed. Some common signs include gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting, diarrhea, and excessive salivation. Signs of liver damage may not occur immediately and can be delayed by up to 12 hours.
If you suspect your dog has ingested a toxic mushroom, seek veterinary care immediately. Time is of the essence, as quick treatment improves the chances of a positive outcome. Bring a piece of the mushroom (wrapped in a damp paper towel) to show the veterinarian.
