By Dr. Becker
[size=30]Avoid Tragedy: Check Your Yard for These Potentially Fatal Growths[/size]
[size=30]Avoid Tragedy: Check Your Yard for These Potentially Fatal Growths[/size]
Mushroom intoxication in pets is probably underestimated, according to some experts, even though it ranks near the top of the list of pet poisonings each year.
Mushrooms present a special problem for pet parents because unless you're a mushroom expert (called a mycologist), it's next to impossible to tell the difference between toxic and non-toxic varieties.
According to Dr. Ahna Brutlag, assistant director of Veterinary Services at the national Pet Poison Helpline, separating toxic from non-toxic mushrooms is "the million dollar question."1
[size]"Mushrooms are notoriously hard to identify," she explains. "However innocent looking a mushroom appears, some of them can be life threatening."
For example, the notoriously toxic "false morel" mushroom looks very much like the edible, much sought-after morel mushroom favored by gourmet cooks.
[/size][size]
False Morel Mushroom Edible Morel Mushroom
There are several thousand species of mushrooms in existence, but relatively few are thought to be toxic. The majority of fatal poisonings in pets involve mushrooms from the genera Amanita, Galerina, and Lepiota.
The amanita mushroom, for example, is found in Europe, Asia and North America. It has as many as seven varieties of colors and shapes, which increases the difficulty of correctly identifying it. According to Dr. Brutlag, eating just one of these mushrooms can be deadly.[/size]
Symptoms of Mushroom Poisoning
Clinical signs of mushroom poisoning depend on the species of mushroom ingested, the specific toxin the mushroom contains, and the individual animal's susceptibility.
Generally speaking, mushroom poisoning has four distinct clinical syndromes, according to Dr. Charlotte Means of the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center:2
- Gastrointestinal (GI) irritation. This is the most common symptom and is rarely serious enough to be fatal. Vomiting and diarrhea typically occur within about six hours of ingestion. GI upset runs its course in about 24 hours and requires minimal veterinary care.
- GI upset plus muscarinic effects. Muscarinic effects include excessive drooling and tear production, which are also symptoms of carbamate andorganophosphate insecticide poisoning. Pupils may be small and constricted, but the most serious sign is a significantly slowed heartbeat.
This clinical syndrome usually occurs within six hours of mushroom ingestion and almost always requires veterinary care. Species of mushrooms that commonly cause this syndrome are from the genera Inocybe and Clitocybe.Inocybe spp.Clitocybe nebularis- GI upset, muscarinic effects, depression, and lethargy. This clinical syndrome is characterized by severe abdominal pain and vomiting. There can also be jaundice (a yellowing of the whites of the eyes and mucous membranes), bleeding disorders and seizures as a result of liver damage. These symptoms occur between 6 and 20 hours after mushroom ingestion, and without prompt, aggressive treatment, they are often fatal.
The death cap mushroom (Amanita phalloides) is most often the culprit in these cases, along with the false morel (Gyromitra esulenta) pictured above, and the Galerina.Amanita phalloides (death cap mushroom)Galerina- Hallucinogenic syndrome. Illegal "street" mushrooms commonly known as magic mushrooms, blue legs, or liberty caps, cause this syndrome. These are non-toxic mushrooms (the kind sold in grocery stores) that have been tainted with LSD or other illicit drugs.
Pets typically find these mushrooms in someone's indoor stash, not in the yard or the woods. Symptoms of magic mushroom ingestion can include restlessness, hallucinations, "air biting," extreme depression, staggering, muscle tremors, seizures, and coma. If you suspect your pet has ingested this type of mushroom, you should get him to your veterinarian or an emergency animal clinic immediately.
Treatment for Mushroom Intoxication
Treatment for mushroom poisoning depends on the symptoms, and is focused on stabilizing your pet, decontamination, and managing any clinical signs that may develop.
Decontamination includes inducing vomiting to remove any remnants of the mushroom from the stomach. The next step is typically administration of activated charcoal to absorb any remaining toxins.
If your pet continues to show signs of toxicity, the veterinary staff will try to identify the type of mushroom ingested by contacting a mycologist in the area. According to Dr. Brutlag, it's often impossible to predict the outcome for your pet until the mushroom is identified.
That's why it's important to bring any uneaten mushrooms with you to the vet or emergency animal clinic. Wrap them in a paper towel and place them in a paper (not plastic) bag. If there will be any delay between wrapping the mushrooms and leaving for your vet's office, place the mushrooms in the refrigerator and mark the bag "Do not eat!"
The symptoms and organs affected depends on what type of mushroom your pet consumed, however, many holistic vets and human MDs have had excellent results decreasing toxicosis with homeopathic remedies (the remedy selected based on the animal's symptoms).3
Preventing Mushroom Poisoning in Your Pet
Mushrooms in yards (yours and your neighbors') should be removed promptly before neighborhood pets have a chance to notice them.
As a general rule, veterinarians and pet poison experts consider all mushroom ingestions in pets toxic unless a quick and accurate identification of the mushroom can be made.
If you know or suspect your pet has eaten a mushroom, immediately contact your veterinarian, the nearest emergency animal clinic, or the 24/7 Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661. If your pet throws up or poops, collect a sample, place it in a plastic bag, and bring it with you.
Today at 5:17 am by Rocky
» utube MM&C 4/16/24 IQD Update - Iraq Dinar - America - Activate - Massive Economic Deals -
Today at 5:15 am by Rocky
» Central Bank: Washington praised Iraq's measures to resolve 80% of the financial transfer file
Today at 5:13 am by Rocky
» Voices of Resilience: Al-Sudani’s frankness embarrasses the White House
Today at 5:12 am by Rocky
» Al-Alaq confirms the formation of a committee between Baghdad and Washington regarding sanctions on
Today at 5:10 am by Rocky
» Former MP: The Democrat will not hand over power after the regional elections
Today at 5:07 am by Rocky
» Document/allocation of 20% of the lands of Al-Jawahiri Complex to employees of the Ministry of Defen
Today at 5:06 am by Rocky
» Al-Hakim: Al-Sudani’s visit to Washington was a protocol and missed the two most important files
Today at 5:05 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary Security: The National Security Service law will be voted on by Parliament soon
Today at 5:04 am by Rocky
» Reconstruction and Housing: Zarbatieh residential project completed by 82%
Today at 5:01 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani reveals an intention to establish Al-Faw refinery with a capacity of 300 thousand barrels
Today at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Government readiness to move the Doura refinery to an alternative location.. What are the conditions
Today at 4:59 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani’s visit to Washington.. Implications and results
Today at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Association of Iraqi Private Banks: The suspension of some electronic payment services yesterday was
Today at 4:55 am by Rocky
» Parliamentary memorandum.. Two solutions were before the Federal Court instead of removing the compo
Today at 4:53 am by Rocky
» Blue fuel... Iraqi steps towards inexhaustible wealth for a century
Today at 4:51 am by Rocky
» For fear of being "upset"... MPs "evade" signing to host Al-Sudani in Parliament
Today at 4:50 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani’s statement to convert 40% of Iraq’s exports into derivatives.. What does it have to do wi
Today at 4:48 am by Rocky
» An Iraqi-American partnership to benefit from oil field gas
Today at 4:46 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Commerce announces the distribution of the first payments of farmers’ dues for the 2
Today at 4:45 am by Rocky
» Sudanese to members of the Iraqi community in the American city of Houston: Iraq has regained its he
Today at 4:43 am by Rocky
» Romanski announces loans worth $50 million to support the Iraqi private sector
Today at 4:42 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister: We plan to invest production capacities for export
Today at 4:41 am by Rocky
» “Something happened” in Iran and no one is talking about Iraq and Syria. This is what we have so far
Today at 4:38 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani asks the American Baker Institute for assistance in preparing studies related to the oil m
Today at 4:36 am by Rocky
» The Interior Ministry denies the occurrence of explosions inside Iraqi territory and diagnoses “the
Today at 4:35 am by Rocky
» Tensions between Najaf and Baghdad over the airport... the rule of law over “military force” and the
Today at 4:34 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani from Washington: We agreed with Abu Dhabi on joint management of Al-Faw Port
Today at 4:33 am by Rocky
» "Al-Party" talks about the region's elections and reveals the reason for refusing to pay salaries di
Today at 4:31 am by Rocky
» Russia's oil is taking more of the Middle East's shares in the Indian market.. How much has Iraq los
Today at 4:29 am by Rocky
» Early next month.. Traffic confirms that the electronic payment system is working only
Today at 4:27 am by Rocky
» The Service Council accuses state departments of refraining from disbursing bonuses because of the m
Today at 4:25 am by Rocky
» Electricity: The Baghdad street lighting campaign will be completed before the middle of this year
Today at 4:24 am by Rocky
» Oil poses two conditions for moving the Doura refinery to an alternative location
Today at 4:23 am by Rocky
» The Foreign Minister reveals the truth about his resignation and the reason for his departure to Erb
Today at 4:22 am by Rocky
» Progress: Al-Halbousi’s acquittal has become conclusive, and his return to the presidency of Parliam
Today at 4:20 am by Rocky
» Disagreements strike Al-Maliki's coalition over choosing the governor of Diyala
Today at 4:19 am by Rocky
» The Union accuses Türkiye of exploiting the political situation for a ground incursion into Iraq
Today at 4:18 am by Rocky
» The Democratic Party: Barzani is eagerly awaiting the results of Al-Sudani’s visit to Washington
Today at 4:17 am by Rocky
» Frame: Al-Halbousi in the news and his return has become a pipe dream
Today at 4:16 am by Rocky
» A parliamentary request to capitalize on Erdogan’s visit to Baghdad to end the water crisis
Today at 4:15 am by Rocky
» utube 4/18/24 Iraq: Over 14 Agreements Signed Between Iraq and US BREAKING NEWS from Congress.
Yesterday at 5:28 pm by Rocky
» Al-Sudani urges the US corporation Honeywell to help finish the Basra refinery
Yesterday at 2:48 pm by Rocky
» Al-Sudani Meets with Representatives of Western Media Outlets in Washington
Yesterday at 2:46 pm by Rocky
» Chairman of the Investment Authority signs the United Nations Convention on International Mediation
Yesterday at 2:44 pm by Rocky
» PM: We will sign a contract to establish the Al-Faw refinery with a Chinese company
Yesterday at 2:42 pm by Rocky
» PM arrives in Houston as part of his visit to USA
Yesterday at 2:41 pm by Rocky
» Militia Man & Crew 4/18/24 Bush signed it and all presidents implemented it. Iraq’s funds have been
Yesterday at 1:46 pm by Rocky
» Iraq is close to launching the electronic signature
Yesterday at 7:12 am by Rocky
» The Basra government discusses with an international oil company the implementation of social benefi
Yesterday at 7:11 am by Rocky
» The Prime Minister confirms to an American company: Gas projects in Iraq are a priority for the gove
Yesterday at 7:10 am by Rocky
» The Minister of Planning discusses with the World Bank mechanisms for scheduling external loans
Yesterday at 7:09 am by Rocky
» Oil sets the twenty-seventh of this month as the date for opening contracts for the fifth complement
Yesterday at 7:08 am by Rocky
» “Electronic begging”...professionalism and fabrication of stories” generates millions of dinars dail
Yesterday at 7:05 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani calls on the American company Hanwell to contribute to the completion of the Basra refiner
Yesterday at 7:03 am by Rocky
» An American company expresses its willingness to establish LED lighting production lines in Iraq
Yesterday at 7:02 am by Rocky
» Including Iraq.. Iran announces the possibility of exporting 300 megawatts of “renewable electricity
Yesterday at 7:01 am by Rocky
» Political forces present two options to find an alternative to Al-Halbousi
Yesterday at 6:58 am by Rocky
» Parliament is awaiting the arrival of the budget schedules and the government is studying higher spe
Yesterday at 6:56 am by Rocky
» The International Monetary Fund adjusts its expectations for the development of the world’s economie
Yesterday at 6:54 am by Rocky
» A representative talks about the difficulty of finalizing the file of “electing the Speaker of Parli
Yesterday at 6:50 am by Rocky
» Work on preparing a law for diplomatic passports
Yesterday at 6:49 am by Rocky
» A female representative accuses the Ministry of Immigration of corruption
Yesterday at 6:47 am by Rocky
» Minister: Solving the Kurdistan salaries problem is the beginning of addressing other disputes betwe
Yesterday at 6:45 am by Rocky
» About 270 million dollars were sold by the Central Bank of Iraq in the currency auction
Yesterday at 6:42 am by Rocky
» The volume of trade exchange between Jordan and Iraq will exceed 800 million dinars in 2023
Yesterday at 6:41 am by Rocky
» Iraq signs memorandums of understanding with American companies in the fields of electricity, oil an
Yesterday at 5:31 am by Rocky
» The American company that manufactures the F16 expresses its readiness to implement the terms of con
Yesterday at 5:30 am by Rocky
» The volume of expected Qatari investments for the Iraq Fund for Development exceeds $3.5 billion
Yesterday at 5:29 am by Rocky
» Decrease in dollar prices in Baghdad and Erbil
Yesterday at 5:27 am by Rocky
» The President of the Region brings together the Kurdish parties to resolve the election file
Yesterday at 5:26 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani receives in Washington the Chairman of JPMorgan
Yesterday at 5:25 am by Rocky
» Transport is starting to transform its ports into smart ones
Yesterday at 5:23 am by Rocky
» Sudanese reveals the volume of exchange with America
Yesterday at 5:22 am by Rocky
» "Al-Eqtisad News" publishes the memorandums of understanding signed between the Iraqi delegation and
Yesterday at 5:21 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani urges an American company to contribute to establishing a chemical materials factory
Yesterday at 5:20 am by Rocky
» Iraq stresses the importance of Lockheed Martin's commitment to opening military aircraft maintenanc
Yesterday at 5:19 am by Rocky
» Iraq is on the verge of a “water disaster” by 2035
Yesterday at 5:18 am by Rocky
» Great satisfaction and optimism with the results of Sudanese’s visit to Washington
Yesterday at 5:16 am by Rocky
» Transport is beginning to adopt a plan to transform its ports into smart ones
Yesterday at 5:15 am by Rocky
» Completed 8,000 loan transactions at the Housing Bank
Yesterday at 5:14 am by Rocky
» Prime Minister: We plan to invest production capacities for export
Yesterday at 5:12 am by Rocky
» Transformation and partnership...a new horizon in Iraqi-American relations
Yesterday at 5:10 am by Rocky
» What is new in the economic dimension of the Washington visit?
Yesterday at 5:09 am by Rocky
» Two letters to the future
Yesterday at 5:08 am by Rocky
» National interests first
Yesterday at 5:06 am by Rocky
» Iraqi-American rapprochement...a national necessity
Yesterday at 5:05 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani’s visit to Washington and the course of Iraqi-American relations
Yesterday at 5:04 am by Rocky
» Sudanese carries security, economic and development files to Washington
Yesterday at 5:03 am by Rocky
» Armament and military development... features of a sustainable partnership
Yesterday at 5:02 am by Rocky
» Analysts: Sudanese's visit to Washington will achieve excellent results in the future
Yesterday at 5:01 am by Rocky
» Iraqi-American relations...the legacy of the past and the aspirations of partnership
Yesterday at 5:00 am by Rocky
» Sudanese and external necessities
Yesterday at 4:59 am by Rocky
» The Strategic Framework Agreement... 7 important provisions
Yesterday at 4:58 am by Rocky
» Joint statement of the Iraqi-American discussions
Yesterday at 4:56 am by Rocky
» Supreme Coordinating Committee: Iraq's role is vital to the security and prosperity of the region
Yesterday at 4:55 am by Rocky
» Towards an effective bilateral economic relationship between Baghdad and Washington
Yesterday at 4:53 am by Rocky
» She saw it as a new, different chapter in Iraqi-American relations... Al-Sudani’s visit to Washingto
Yesterday at 4:52 am by Rocky
» Al-Sudani’s visit to Washington.. Implications and results
Yesterday at 4:51 am by Rocky