Not all mushrooms are toxic to dogs, a bite of a button or portabella isn’t going to get them into trouble! But there are wild mushrooms that are highly toxic and can cause death from liver failure if they are consumed. Learn more about the most common family of toxic, amanita, mushrooms below.

Image of a Deathcap Mushroom Deathcap Mushroom Image

What are amanita mushrooms?

  • Family of toxic mushrooms, including Death Cap, the most common toxic mushroom causing death in dogs and humans
  • Other toxic mushrooms include Jeweled Death Cap, Deadly Agaric, False Morel, Destroying Angel, and Fly Agaric
  • Very difficult to distinguish toxic and non-toxic mushrooms by appearance alone
  • There are over 10,000 mushroom species and many are not toxic, but due to the risk associated with toxic species it is important to consider all wild mushrooms as toxic!
  • Toxic mushrooms contain cyclopeptides that can cause liver failure, kidney failure, or toxicity to the nervous system (neurotoxins)

Where do they grow?

  • Typically grow between July and November particularly during warm and wet weather
  • Can be found in many different locations, particularly parks, woods, and even the backyard
  • They are particularly associated with oak, pine, and birch trees
  • They can be found in many locations across the US

What happens if a dog consumes toxic mushrooms

  • Death Cap mushrooms are highly toxic and one cap can cause death in humans and dogs
  • Liver failure occurs within 24 hours
  • Can also affect the kidneys and intestinal tract
  • Effects of consumption are generally split
  •  into three phases:
  • Phase 1 (6–24 h post-ingestion, typically 10-12 h later):
    • There are typically no signs initially
    • Lack of signs does not mean lack of exposure
    • Delayed onset of severe vomiting, bloody diarrhea, abdominal pain, and dehydration
  • Phase 2 (24–72 h post-ingestion):
    • Dogs seem to recover from clinical signs
    • Silent, progressive liver and kidney damage continues
  • Phase 3 (3–5 d post-ingestion):
    • Full-blown liver failure
    • Vomiting, lethargy, poor appetite
    • Jaundice, bleeding, seizures
    • Coma and death

What to do if you are concerned

  • Time is critical! Do NOT wait for symptoms
  • Immediately seek veterinary attention, take your Border to the closest emergency room or urgent care
  • Take a piece of the mushroom: Place in a Ziplock or paper bag with moist paper towel
  • Make sure to wash your hands, these mushrooms are toxic to you as well
    • Mushrooms can be submitted to a toxicology lab for further testing and identification
      • Many universities have diagnostic labs that can determine the type of mushroom
    • North American Mycological Association: List of volunteers who can identify mushrooms https://namyco.org/interests/toxicology/mushroom-poisonings-in-dogs-and-cats/
  • Contact ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (888-426-4435). They will give you a case number which you can share with the veterinary hospital

What can a veterinarian do?

  • Rapid decontamination: Remove contents of stomach to prevent absorption of toxins in the first four hours after exposure
  • Administer activated charcoal to prevent absorption of toxins from the intestinal tract
  • Intravenous fluids to maintain hydration and IV anti-nausea medications
  • Administer hepatoprotectants such as milk thistle, S-adenosyl methionine, N-acetyl cysteine
  • Therapeutic plasma exchange is available at select specialty hospitals and universities and may be beneficial for removing toxins from the bloodstream
  • Urine testing for toxins can confirm mushroom exposure

How to prevent exposure:

  • Monitor your yard frequently for mushrooms and remove them quickly
  • Do not allow your Border off leash in areas where mushrooms may be growing, e.g., wooded areas, parks, particularly during July to November

Get more information about toxic mushrooms here: Mushroom Poisoning in Dogs and Cats – Veterinary Partner – VIN
https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=10020259

Other common toxins that affect the liver

  • Blue-green algae in stagnant ponds, particularly during warm weather
  • Sago palm
  • Xylitol, also causes severely low blood sugar
  • Ibuprofen and other pain killers in this class