We do everything we can to protect our beloved pups. We fence in our yards to keep them safe and make sure they eat the right diet. But all of that care and attention can’t protect them from a fast-sprouting invader–poisonous mushrooms. Unfortunately, Florida’s subtropical climate is ideal for mushroom growth. Mushrooms can appear overnight and hide beneath leaves and grass clippings. Dogs can smell them, which can make it easier for them to find them before we see them.
Dogs Can Smell a Poisonous Mushroom, But People Can’t
Even though 99 percent of mushrooms are not poisonous, it’s difficult for people to distinguish between the few that are and the many that aren’t. Not for dogs. Their keen sense of smell, which is up to 100,000 times more acute than ours, allows them to hone in on one particular species that can be lethal–the Amanita species.
Known as death cap, panther cap, and fly agaric mushrooms, Amanita‘s have a fishy smell that is highly attractive to dogs. Once eaten, dogs can begin to show distress in as little as 15 minutes. The Clitocybe species contains muscarine that can be lethal to dogs. Muscarine has not caused any human fatalities, but dogs are uniquely sensitive to this compound. Some Scleroderma species are also lethal to dogs (and pigs) but not to humans, but the actual toxin is not known.
How Do Poisonous Mushrooms Affect Your Dog?
Dogs can begin staggering, panting, salivating, whining, and appear dizzy very quickly after ingesting a poisonous mushroom. These symptoms can quickly progress into vomiting, lethargy, tachycardia, and collapse. Most of the time, owners have no idea what mushroom the dog ate or the exact quantity consumed, making veterinary treatment difficult. Depending upon the type of mushroom and the size of your dog, eating as little as two mushrooms can lead to serious illness or death.
Poisonous mushrooms attack a dog’s liver, which is why dogs sometimes display a yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes after eating one (or several). The good news is that depending upon how early you catch the symptoms, many dogs are able to make a full recovery.
What Conditions Make Yards Good Hosts for Mushrooms?
Mushrooms love damp areas which are ideal for fungi and mold growth. The also like a thick layer of thatch to sprout from. Mushrooms also thrive in shady areas, precisely where dogs like to lay to get out of the Florida sun.
How Can You Prevent Mushrooms from Growing in Your Yard?
One way is the reduce the amount of watering you do so your yard. This helps make sure your yard isn’t a prime, damp target for fungal growth. Another is to walk your yard regularly, particularly during rainy season, and pluck mushrooms that you find. Be sure to place them in a bag that you tie off so the spores cannot travel to other areas of your yard.
Also, be sure to follow proper yard maintenance. This include removing old mulch that contains decaying organic material–the perfect substrate for mushrooms. Some targeted pruning and trimming of trees can decrease shady areas and let in extra sunlight to help decrease the moisture in your lawn. It also helps to keep your grass short and bag up grass clippings. Finally, nitrogen-based fertilizers help speed up the composition of grass and leaf clippings, which help to prevent fungus from starting in the first place. An example would be a dry solution of ammonium sulfate in a ratio of five pounds per 1000 square feet.
What to do Immediately If You Suspect Your Dog Has Been Poisoned
Whether you suspect poisonous mushrooms, toxic pond algae, human food that’s poisonous to pets, essential oil poisoning, or toxic toads; your best resource is to call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC). They are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, and can be reached at (888) 426-4435. A consultation fee may apply.
Or if it’s during regular business hours, call us at Jacksonville Community Pet Clinics. If after hours, go to your nearest emergency vet clinic. Time is of the essence to give your dog the best chance of reaching a full and thorough recovery from a poison-related emergency.
