10/04/2022
Fall is mushroom season in CT with the cool, wet weather. Dogs and cats are curious creatures. When outside, they wander around with their noses to the ground... and that curiosity sometimes gets them into trouble, especially if they decide to nibble on mushrooms.
Some mushrooms are edible and yummy, but many are toxic and can cause serious or even life threatening illness. Here are a few things you need to know about mushroom toxicity in pets.
Where do toxic mushrooms grow?
Mushrooms grow best in damp or wet ground and flourish in many places in Connecticut. They grow in wooded areas, rocky terrains, grassy parks, and even in your own back yard.
What do toxic mushrooms look like?
There are many different species of mushrooms with a variety of characteristics making identification of individual types quite complicated. If you aren’t a “mushroom expert”, it’s best to assume that any mushroom you find could be a poisonous one.
How serious is mushroom poisoning?
The severity of mushroom induced illness depends on the type and number of mushrooms ingested. Sometimes a pet may have mild gastrointestinal (GI) upset that resolves at home. Other times, pets become extremely sick and require hospitalization. Unfortunately, some pets may die despite therapy. The best thing to do is bring your pet to a veterinarian if you suspect they ate a mushroom.
What You Can Do
If your pet may have been poisoned by mushrooms, try to get a sample of the same mushroom or mushrooms from where they were found. Also try to take photos of the area where the mushrooms were growing and then bring your pet to there Vet. This will help aid in identification and help the Veterinarian provide the proper treatment for your pet.