Key Takeaways:
- If your dog eats a mushroom, assume it’s poisonous and call your vet.
- Some mushrooms are toxic to dogs and may be fatal.
- Depending on the mushroom species, the toxins may affect your dog’s liver, kidneys, gastrointestinal system, or neurological system.
- Early treatment can help minimize the toxic effects and improve your dog’s prognosis.
You let your furbaby out in the yard and notice him bending over to graze. When you check the area to see what he ate, you observe a mushroom stem without the cap. Calling your dog over, you sweep his mouth and find mushroom remnants. What should you do?
While not all mushrooms are poisonous, it’s best to assume the fungus your dog ate is potentially toxic, particularly if they’re growing outside. Some can cause mild digestive upset, while other varieties are deadly. Collect a sample of the ingested mushroom and call your veterinarian immediately.
In this article, I’ll explain why many mushrooms are dangerous to dogs and what you should do if your furbaby swallows one or more. Keep reading for more information.
How Much Mushroom is Toxic to Dogs?
The amount of mushroom it takes to make your dog ill varies depending on the species of mushroom. In the case of the Amanita species, one mushroom can have enough toxin to kill your dog. Unless you’re an experienced forager, you should treat any mushroom your dog eats in your yard or while on outdoor walks as a medical emergency.
What should I do if my dog ate mushrooms?
If your dog swallows a mushroom and you don’t know whether it’s safe to eat, remove any remaining material from his mouth and collect a sample. Wrap it in a moist paper towel and place it in a paper bag to help keep the mushroom fresh.
Next, call your veterinarian and tell her what happened. The doctor may encourage you to induce vomiting to minimize toxin absorption and bring your dog to the clinic.
Do not wait until you see symptoms of illness. Some mushrooms can cause organ damage, but you may not see signs of trouble for several hours to days. Delayed treatment can result in more organ damage and a poorer prognosis.
What Should I Do If I Suspect My Dog Has Been Poisoned by Mushrooms?
If you didn’t catch your dog eating mushrooms but suspect he may have munched on them, quickly check the area for evidence. Don’t comb the area, but if you see any mushrooms, snap a picture or gather a sample and call your veterinarian immediately.
Some mushroom toxins cause damage in a matter of minutes. Seeking rapid treatment may be the difference between life and death.
What if my dog ate plenty of mushrooms but seems fine?
Unless you know with certainty that the mushrooms your dog ingested are safe for him to eat, you should treat the event as an emergency. While toxins from some mushrooms produce symptoms in 15-30 minutes, other species won’t cause symptoms for several hours to a day or more.
The problem is that the toxins will start to damage organs like the liver and kidneys before you notice any symptoms. Delaying treatment can result in more severe illness and a poorer prognosis.
Signs that my dog got mushroom poisoning
Signs of mushroom poisoning vary depending on the type of mushroom. Major symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Abdominal pain
- Excessive drooling
- Weakness
- Dehydration
- Ataxia
- Lethargy
- Seizures
- Coma
- Death
What happens to dogs that eat mushrooms?
Mushrooms grow in warm, wet weather and often appear in your yard or where you walk your dog. As dogs explore their environment, mushrooms seem like delectable treats. Unfortunately, some of the most toxic species are extra-tantalizing because they have fishy aromas that are attractive to dogs.
When a dog eats toxic mushrooms, the poison is absorbed through the digestive system and travels to the liver, kidneys, or nervous system. Depending on the target system, the toxin triggers gastrointestinal signs or symptoms of liver, kidney, or nervous system damage.
Why are mushrooms toxic to dogs?
When dogs eat mushrooms, they may experience a variety of symptoms.
- Some species, mainly muscarinic species, will cause gastrointestinal(GI) upset with vomiting and diarrhea.
- Neurotoxic or “magic” mushrooms may start with symptoms of vomiting and diarrhea, but they will advance to other signs, including ataxia, vocalization, disorientation, and seizures.
- Nephrotoxic mushrooms will cause signs of vomiting, increased urination and thirst, and dehydration due to kidney failure. These mushrooms are mostly found in Europe.
- Hepatotoxic mushrooms, mainly amanita species, can cause liver failure within 6-12 hours. Early symptoms of toxicity include vomiting and diarrhea.
How do vets treat mushroom poisoning?
If you take your dog to the veterinarian within an hour or two after ingesting the mushrooms, the doctor will probably start by inducing vomiting. This will help to remove any remaining toxins from the system before your dog absorbs them. After that, the doctor will:
- Administer activated charcoal to absorb any remaining toxin so it can’t enter the bloodstream.
- Give your dog IV fluids to encourage urination and help reduce toxic effects on the kidney and liver.
- Provide gastrointestinal protectants and antibiotics
- Give other treatments as needed for seizures, kidney or liver damage
How long is the recovery?
Mushroom poisoning can be deadly, but the prognosis is generally good if you catch and treat it early. Depending on the type of mushroom your dog eats, he will require several hours to a few days or more of hospitalization and care. Once your pooch is discharged, follow-up bloodwork will be needed for at least a few weeks to monitor kidney and liver function. Some dogs may suffer permanent damage and ongoing treatment.
The Final Woof
If your dog eats a mushroom in the yard or while on a walk, it’s best to assume it’s poisonous. Collect a sample if you’re able and contact your veterinarian immediately. Some mushrooms are toxic to dogs and can cause anything from mild illness to death. Depending on the species, mushrooms may cause gastrointestinal upset, kidney damage, liver failure, or neurological signs. If you know or suspect your dog ate mushrooms, don’t wait for your dog to show symptoms. Early treatment can help reduce the toxic effects and improve prognosis. Treatment and recovery vary depending on the type of toxin and the severity of its effects.
