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Focus of the Month
Mushrooms
A mushroom is a fungus that grows on wet, moist surfaces
such as lawns, dead tree trunks, fences and wooden areas. There are
over 2,000 different types of mushrooms in North America, but only 8
types are considered to be poisonous. However many mushrooms that are not considered  poisonous can cause serious symptoms as well. So to be safe, always remember though many mushrooms are edible, mushrooms that grow in the wild should never be eaten by our pets.
Mushroom poisonings are generally acute and manifested
by a variety of symptoms and prognoses, depending on the amount and the
species consumed. The chemistry of many of the mushroom toxins
(especially the less deadly ones) is still unknown and positive
identification of the mushrooms is often difficult or impossible.
Symptoms:
- Drowsiness
- Lethargy
- Confusion
- Heart, Liver and Kidney Damage
- Dehydration
- Jaundice
- Stomach pain, cramping
- Excitement or Depression
- Coma
- Weakness
- Internal bleeding
- Diarrhea
- Nausea, Vomiting
- Low Blood Pressure
- Hallucinations
- Seizures
- Paralysis
- Death
Symptoms can appear soon after eating the mushroom, or be delayed for 6 to 24 hours.
To Protect You Pet:
- Always watch for mushrooms in areas where you and your pet walk, run, and play.
- Be
cautious and suspicious of all species of mushrooms. It can be
difficult to tell the difference between poisonous and edible
mushrooms. Avoid misleading myths surrounding mushrooms.
- Check your yard each morning, especially in damp weather, for new growth before letting your pet outside.
- When
ever you find a mushroom in your yard, dig them up and discard them in
a well sealed bag. Kicking or smashing mushrooms spreads the spores and
even more mushrooms will grow.
If Your Pet Has Eaten A Mushroom:
- Remove any remaining pieces from mouth
- Call your veterinarian or emergency clinic immediately, do not wait for symptoms to appear, and do not assume that a wild mushroom is safe based on colour or appearence. All cases of mushroom ingestion should be seen by your veterinarian.
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