As we enter winter, our weather is getting wetter which leads to an increase in growth of wild mushrooms. Some of these are benign, causing little or no problems, and others can be very toxic and even deadly. It is never a good idea to let your pet eat any wild mushroom even if you believe it to be non-toxic. Different types of mushrooms can appear very similar, and it is very easy to collect the wrong mushroom even to experienced mushroom pickers.
Two of the most toxic mushrooms we have in our area in Lake County is the Amanita phalloides or Death Cap Mushroom and Amanita bisporigera or North America Destroying Angel. These mushrooms contain amatoxins which can destroy both the liver and kidneys. Please monitor the ground when walking your pet and routinely check your yard to ensure there are no wild mushrooms your dog can eat. If you think your dog may have ingested a wild mushroom then call us at Middletown Animal Hospital immediately.
