Exposure to Mature Puffball Spores Can Cause Lung Inflammation and Death in Dogs

1 Carolyn O’Connor uniform consistency. However, they (shortness of breath, difficulty 2 and Robert M. Hallock are considered inedible when the flesh breathing), and there was fluid found Skidmore College, ages to yellow or brown and spores in the bronchial tubes. Furthermore, Department of Neuroscience are ready for release (Miller and the mucus membranes were cyanotic 815 N Broadway Miller, 2006). (shaded blue) due to poorly oxygenated Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. The inhalation of large quantities blood, and there was an elevated 1 [email protected]; of these spores causes a respiratory white blood cell count. In this case, 2 [email protected] disease known as lycoperdonosis, treatment with oral antibiotics began which is a pneumonitis, or with amoxicillin (20 mg/kg body our four-legged friend inflammation of the lung tissue weight every 12 hours) and meloxicam does not always need to caused by a hypersensitive reaction to (2 mg/kg body weight every 24 consume a mushroom to fungal spores (Alenghat et al., 2010). hours). Twenty-four hours later, the Yexperience toxicosis. Puffballs (Fig. In one case, a 12-year-old golden dog was found in a deteriorated state 1) are the general name for a group retriever showed signs of acute onset with worse dyspnea, lethargy, fever, of mushrooms within the family lethargy after playing in a bed of vomiting, and a further increase Lycoperdaceae that vary widely in puffball mushrooms later identified in the white blood cell count. The both location and appearance. Most as Lycoperdon pyriforme (Rubensohn, ineffectiveness of the antibiotics along are considered edible when they are 2009). Signs of pneumonia were with increased signs of inflammatory young and the flesh is white with a observed including fever, dyspnea and allergic reaction prompted the vets

Figure 1. Beagle with giant puffball Calvatia gigantea. Photo courtesy Kris Banowetz.

10 FUNGI • Volume 5:4 • Fall 2012 to administer dexamethasone (5 mg than the dog in the previous case. fungal spores in the three case studies IV, then 1 mg orally, every 12 hours for The last case deals with a 5 year-old indicates a type of hypersensitivity 3 days, followed by 1 mg orally, every Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who pneumonitis, whereby the body invokes 24 hours for 3 more days), an anti- was brought to a veterinary teaching an exaggerated immune response to an inflammatory and immunosuppressant hospital about 1-1/2 hours after death antigen. If this conclusion is correct, corticosteroid. This treatment resulted (Alenghat et al., 2010). The dog had then a schedule of corticosteroids in rapid improvement of the animal’s been digging in an area with puffball should be administered immediately health and breathing returned to mushrooms and was brought to the to halt the body’s detrimental normal after 1 week. referring vet afebrile (without fever) immune reaction. Although it In Pennsylvania, a 1-1/2 year-old with an acute onset of tachypnea and remains to be seen whether these Shih Tzu was given antibiotics and cough. Post-mortem examination cases are underreported, knowledge prednisolone (corticosteroid) after showed the presence of macrophages of this condition by pet owners and playing in an area with puffballs in the bronchioles and the tissue veterinarians alike can go a long way in (Alenghat et al., 2010). The dog was surrounding the alveoli of the lungs. treating this condition when it arises. referred to a veterinary hospital due Many of these macrophages contained References Cited to worsening respiratory distress 3 Lycoperdon pyriforme spores. days post-exposure with tachypnea The low number of reports Alenghat, T., C.A. Pillitteri, D.A. (rapid breathing) and inflammation describing cases of lycoperdonosis Bemis, L. Kellett-Gregory, K.V. Jackson, in the lungs due to pus formation. juxtaposed to the prevalence of S.A. Kania, R.L. Donnell, and T. Van The dog continued to exhibit severe puffballs worldwide may indicate that Winkle. 2010. Lycoperdonosis in two respiratory distress even in the face of this toxicosis represents a rare reaction dogs. Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic broad-spectrum antibiotics, oxygen to puffball spores. Alternatively, Investigation 22:1002-1005. therapy, mucolytics to break up however, cases may be overlooked and Miller, O.K., and H.H. Miller. 2006. bronchial mucus, and a short course thus underreported by veterinarians in North American mushrooms: A field of corticosteroids, and was therefore cases of pneumonia or pneumonitis. guide to edible and inedible fungi. euthanized. It may be that puppies are When a dog is presented with signs of Connecticut: Falcon Guide. more sensitive to lycoperdonosis (as pneumonia, lycoperdonosis should be Rubensohn, M. 2009. Inhalation they are with other types of mushroom considered and veterinarians should pneumonitis in a dog from spores poisonings). It is also unknown ask pet owners if their dogs were of puffball mushrooms. Canadian whether this dog inhaled more spores exposed to puffballs. QuarterPageFungiMagThe inhalation of Veterinary 11/3/10 Journal 8:54. 50(1):93. AM Page 3

SAM RISTICH MUSHROOMGURU · NATURALIST P · H O T T S O I G G R O A L P O H E M R O · T C N O E N · S E T R S V I A G T I O O L N O I S C T E TEACHER · MENTOR · MOTIVATOR To order posters: www.samristich.com 18” X 24” · $25 UNFRAMED · $115 FRAMED Proceeds benefit Sam Ristich Archive Fund Fall 2012 • Volume 5:4 • FUNGI 11