Many pet owners do not realize that some of the mushrooms that grow in their yard are toxic to dogs. Symptoms of mushroom poisoning can range from mild vomiting and diarrhea to severe digestive problems to complete liver failure.
Dogs who like to "graze" will sometimes eat wild mushrooms along with lawn grasses, leading to mushroom poisoning. Dogs can sometimes become ill by just licking a poisonous mushroom. Also, some dogs, like some people, are allergic to even edible, normally safe mushrooms.
If your dog has eaten poisonous mushrooms and you catch him in the act...
You actually see the dog starting to eat them....
Syrup of ipecac (1 teaspoon per 10 pounds of body weight), or...
Hydrogen Peroxide 3% - 1 tablespoon every 10 minutes, repeat 3 times.
If your dog has eaten poisonous mushrooms, but there is short delay in realizing what has happened...
If your dog has eaten poisonous mushrooms, and symptoms have already begun....
Protect Your Pets...
Always watch for mushrooms in areas where you walk your dogs or where they run and play. Be especially cautious of parasol-shaped mushrooms and all small brown mushrooms. Check your yard each morning, especially in damp weather, for new growth before letting your dog outside. Remember that new mushrooms can appear overnight. Whenever you find mushrooms in your yard, dig them up. Smashing or kicking them spreads the spores and even more will grow.
It can be very difficult to tell the difference between poisonous and edible mushrooms, and even harder to describe them over the telephone.
See the following sources for more information about poisonous mushrooms,
including pictures to help identify them.
Losing Destinee -A Mushroom Horror Story
Facts and Fiction About Mushroom Identification
Edible and Poisonous Mushrooms
Magic Mushrooms Net Identification Guide
The Nature of Animal Healing : The Definitive Holistic Medicine Guide to Caring for Your Dog and Cat by Martin Goldstein, D.V.M. For two decades, Dr. Martin Goldsteine, one of America's most successful, renowned holistic Veterinarians, has healed and helped his animal patients with the same natural therapies that benefit humans. In this book, Dr. Goldstein explains - The truth about vaccines, diet, and disease; why your pet gets sick and how to prevent illness - naturally; the key to identifying pet ailments from A to Z; recommendations on herbs, nutritional supplements, and natural remedies; understanding the emotional and spiritual nature of your pet. |
More Summer Hazards - See.... and Foxtails - A Deadly Summertime Danger and Other warm weather issues,
including parked cars and heatstroke, water hazards, and riding safely in pick-up trucks.
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