25/07/2023
Mycotoxin Ingestion AKA ‘Getting High on the Fourth of July’
by Luci Ellis (ATCA member and previous Junior Handler)
When taking our 5-month-old Australian Terrier puppy Liza out for her final walk of the day after a long and tiring Fourth of July, she unexpectedly made a mad dash for an unknown object by the tree line. Whatever it was, she was very interested in it. About 45 minutes later, she was unsteady, wobbly, trembling, and shaky. Her pupils were dilated, and she seemed disoriented. She had trouble staying upright, and her feet kept slipping out from underneath her. We were worried and decided to keep an eye on her. Luckily, we did, because an hour later she had a brief seizure. Before rushing her to the vet, we looked around in the dark with a flashlight to see if we could find what grabbed her attention. Low and behold, in the vicinity were some small, white-capped mushrooms. A hallucinogenic mushroom or ‘magic mushroom’ ingestion was likely what caused her symptoms. In other words, she was on a mushroom trip!
While there are over 50 thousand species of mushrooms, approximately 100 of them are poisonous. In the days leading up to the Fourth of July, it was warm and rainy, which is perfect weather for mushrooms to grow. Mushrooms are found all over the U.S. and Canada, so it’s important to keep an eye out for any potentially toxic mushrooms. Mushrooms found in the wild should be assumed dangerous and toxic until properly identified. The North American Mycological Association has a list of poisonous mushrooms on their website and can help identify them in case a mushroom poisoning is suspected (see link below). Not all mushrooms are harmful, in fact, they can be a great food for your dog if known to be safe. White Button, Cremini, Portobello, Oyster Mushrooms, Porcini, Shiitake, Maitake and Reishi are all non-toxic mushrooms for your dogs to eat. Most mushrooms sold in stores are safe, but it’s best to err on the side of caution and avoid them if you’re unsure.
Mushroom toxicity usually falls into one of four categories: neurotoxic (which affects the nervous system and includes altered mental status, tremors, and seizures), nephrotoxic (which affects the kidneys and can lead to urinary issues and kidney failure), gastrointestinal (which usually causes symptoms of nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea), and the most dangerous which is hepatotoxic (liver dysfunction or failure). The capped mushroom we identified usually falls into the neurotoxic category. Severity of symptoms is based on the amount ingested and size/weight of the dog.
Symptoms of mushroom poisoning or a ‘trip’ include lethargy, hyperactivity, dilated pupils, glossy eyes, dazed expression, sensitivity to loud noise, difficulty walking, poor muscle control (ataxia), vomiting, and salivation/drooling. They may demonstrate a startle reaction—your pet appears drowsy and even may begin to fall over but catches his balance, they may whine and cry, show agitation or aggression, have trouble regulating body temperature, be incontinent of urine, have a slow or fast heart rate, altered blood pressure, slow breathing rate, tremors, seizures, and even coma. Symptoms can appear anywhere from 5 minutes to 12 hours after exposure (PetMD). If you are knowledgeable on how to induce vomiting, you can do this within the first 30-60 minutes after ingestion. Induced vomiting will lessen the toxins absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and reduce the likelihood of a serious ingestion. There is no blood or urine test available to confirm mushroom ingestion, so history and symptoms are used to suspect if one occurred. Treatment is otherwise usually supportive.
Ma*****na ingestion can mimic mushroom ingestion. Cannabidiol (CBD), one of the compounds found in ma*****na, presents no serious effects in dogs. In fact, it has an effect similar to what we see in humans and is safely used in dogs to help calm and relax them. Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) however, is where the high comes from and is the compound that can cause toxic effects. According to Dr. Barri J. Morrison, possible symptoms of THC are similar to what is seen in mycotoxin poisoning. Eventually, the dog will ride out the cannabis high and return to normal within a day or two. CBD is safe for dogs and THC is not. If you have an edible or medication in the house with THC, store safely away from your pet. Urine or blood testing is often negative in dogs so is not always reliable, but if positive, can confirm THC or ma*****na ingestion.
An additional consideration is a condition termed ‘tremorgenic mycotoxin ingestion’, or in other words, eating moldy food. These toxins grow on dairy, nuts, pasta, grains, etc. and can arise in the processing plant or at home. In order to prevent these toxins from growing in your dog’s food at home, store pet food in a dry place, discard the food once it has any discoloration or mold, and do not feed outdated food or treats. Throw any visibly moldy food away safely. According to Dr. Michelle S. Mostrom, symptoms of a mycotoxin reaction are vomiting, salivation, vocalization, hyperthermia, ataxia, tachycardia, hyperesthesia (excessive sensitivity), fasciculations (quick twitches), tremors, and seizures. These symptoms can present anywhere from 1 to 2 hours or up to several hours after ingestion (MSD Vet Manual). If you suspect your dog’s food or treats are the source, you can track recalls through the FDA or Petful.com.
It is summer, which means some crops are going full force and insecticides are in use. Metaldehyde, or snail bait, can cause neurologic issues within 1-3 hours of ingestion. Metaldehyde can cause muscle tremors, anxiety, hyperesthesia (excessive sensitivity), ataxia (uncoordinated), tachycardia and hyperthermia. Vomiting, diarrhea, hypersalivation, abdominal pain, cyanosis (blue discoloration), and mydriasis (pupil dilation) are possible. Dogs can ingest the insecticide by walking on a freshly applied lawn and licking their paws, eating grass or bugs that have the insecticide applied to it, or gaining access to containers with the poison. It’s important to keep your dog away from any insecticides and store safely out of their reach.
Despite a scary event, Liza slept safely and quietly in a padded kennel at the Emergency Vet overnight. She was given intravenous fluids and medications to help her stay calm and relaxed. She was able to come home the next morning and was back to normal in a day or two. While we may never know for certain what she ingested, we will definitely be on the watch for any potential poisons or plants that she is so eager to investigate!
LINKS:
North American Mycological Association Mushroom Poisoning
NAMA ID Consultants
NAMA Mushroom Poisoning In Dogs
FDA Pet Food Recalls
Petful Recalls
Pet Poison Helpline
ASPCA Poison Control
Reading More:
VCA Mushroom Toxicity
ASPCA Mushroom Poisoning
Can Dogs Eat Mushrooms? Pumpkin.care
PetMD Poisonous Mushrooms
Toxicology Brief: Mushroom Poisoning In Dogs
Mushrooms for Dogs: Benefits and Uses
MSD Vet Manual: Tremorgenic Mycotoxin
Toxicology Brief: Tremorgenic Mycotoxicosis in Dogs
Top Dog Tips: Mycotoxins
PetMD Ma*****na
PetMD Cannabis Toxicity
WebMD Ma*****na Poisoning in Dogs
Superb Dog Edibles
VCA Cannabis
MSD Vet Manual: Metaldehyde Poisoning
PetMD Snail, Slug Bait
