Don't Eat That! : Mushroom Toxicity in dogs

     Due to a natural instinct for scavenging and adventure, dogs can be known to find and ingest a plethora of foreign materials while out and about with their humans.  While some of these items can be worrisome but harmless when consumed, our little ones are also at risk of finding things that can be dangerous, harmful, or toxic. Some can be rare and difficult for our pups to sniff out, but others, like some wild mushrooms, are extraordinarily common in Northern Virginia, and pose a threat to them daily. 

     Mushroom toxicity and poisoning are ailments that have been reported recently in our local area. Unfortunately, some of these pups have had fatal reactions after ingesting the deadly fungi; One of them being a regular patient of our SAH family. Losing our little ones, especially to unexpected events of toxicity, can be difficult and painful; but we hope to provide helpful information and educational material that will help our parents to develop tools to avoid these toxins, identify symptoms if ingestion does occur, and how to respond appropriately in the event of an emergency.

     Although there are numerous species of mushrooms that can be dangerous or harmful if ingested, we have narrowed down the three most common mushrooms that cause toxicity in dogs. Reports have found that these three fungi emit a "fishy odor", making them highly attractive and more likely to be ingested. They include:

Amanita Phalloides
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Amanita phalloides  

This species, containing a toxin called cyclopeptide, is responsible for most of the reported fatal cases in dogs. Typically, 10 to 12 hours pass between consumption and the onset of clinical signs

The onset and progression of Cyclopeptide poisoning symptoms are fairly routine and predictable. The initial gastroenteritis (inflammation of the digestive tract) distress, which typically lasts about 24 hours, is characterized by profuse bloody diarrhea, vomiting, nausea, abdominal pain, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, fever, tachycardia (abnormally fast heart rate), and hyperglycemia (increased blood sugar levels). Three to four days after ingestion, severe and often fatal symptoms begin to occur:  Severe liver dysfunction, severe kidney failure, swelling of the brain, elevated liver enzyme levels, hypoglycemia (decreased blood sugar), impaired blood clotting activity and hemorrhage (bleeding), azotemia (elevated nitrogen in the blood), and sepsis . In addition, neurologic dysfunction including hepatic encephalopathy and coma can occur. Typically, death occurs three to seven days after ingestion.

Amanita muscariaPhoto credit embedded in link

Amanita muscaria  and Amanita pantherina

Both species of mushroom act as Central Nervous System depressants and sedatives. In dogs, reports show that they typically go into a deep coma-like sleep a few hours after eating them. Recovery is generally complete about 6 hours (but as long as 72 hours) later.


ACT QUICKLY

^{Seeking emergency veterinary assistance if it is suspected that your little one has ingested a foreign substance, especially a mushroom, is vital to the success rate of appropriate medical treatment. If possible, bring the ingested mushroom with you to the clinic. This will help narrow down the toxins that may be released into their bodies and expedite administration of effective treatment. Early and aggressive decontamination and enhanced elimination, (i.e. induce vomiting) are critical procedures performed by veterinary professionals. WARNING!!! DO NOT ATTEMPT TO INDUCE VOMITING UNLESS UNDER GUIDANCE AND INSTRUCTION OF A LICENSED VETERINARIAN!!! Studies have shown that these may not be beneficial more than four hours after ingestion, as their toxins are rapidly absorbed from the digestive tract.}

Amanita pantherina

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^{It is strongly recommended that your pet be taken to an emergency facility (hospitals listed below), however please call our hospital at 703-956-6290 during normal business hours, and our caring team will assist in any way we can.}

Please feel free to contact our hospital with any questions you may have regarding mushroom toxicity or any other veterinary related topics. 

Emergency Contact Information:

Veterinary Referral Center of Northern Virginia
8614 Centreville Rd, Manassas, VA 20110
(703) 361-8287

Hope Advanced Veterinary Center
140 Park Street SE
Vienna, VA 22180
703-281-5121

Animal Poison Control
(888) 426-4435

Resources:


http://veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com/toxicology-brief-mushroom-poisoning-dogs?id=&sk=&date=&pageID=5

http://www.namyco.org/mushroom_poisonings_in_dogs_an.php