Mushroom Toxicity

There are many different varieties of poisonous mushrooms. Symptoms and effects depend on the variety and quantity ingested.

The majority of mushrooms cause simple gastrointestinal upset, but some are quite deadly, causing neurologic abnormalities or liver failure. If your pet has eaten poisonous mushrooms, doctors will recommend decontam- ination (inducing vomiting) and hospitalization with supportive care. Sometimes doctors will be able to send a sample of the mushroom off for evaluation to identify the type. Below is a more detailed chart on the various types of mushroom your pet may encounter.

If your pet has ingested mushrooms, please bring a sample of the mushroom for identification and proceed immediately to SAGE Emergency Service or your closest available veterinarian for decontamination and treatment.

Mushroom Variety Toxicity Symptoms Treatment Prognosis Amanita, “Death Cap,” Liver No symptoms for 6-12 Decontamination and Guarded to grave. One and others hours, followed by vom- activated charcoal. mushroom can be fatal. iting, diarrhea, lethargy, Supportive care for liver and abdominal pain for failure. Injectable silibinin 6-24 hours, then acute is an approved treatment liver failure over the final in Europe, but not consis- 2-3 days. tently available in the U.S.

Gyromitra, panther cap, Neurotoxins Disorientation, seizures, Decontamination and Variable depending on fly agaric paddling, respiratory activated charcoal prior dose and delay in distress, and coma. to the development of treatment. symptoms. Supportive care and seizure control. Mechanical ventilation if severely affected. Psilocybe, Panoeolus, Psychogenic Aggression, ataxia (lack Supportive care for severe Generally good with Conocybe, Magic Mush- of coordination), vocaliza- symptoms supportive care. rooms tion, nystagmus (invol- untary eye movement), seizures, and increased temperature. Mycena, Boletus, Muscarine Rapid onset salivation, Decontamination and Good Entoloma lacrimation (secretion of activated charcoal. tears), urination, diarrhea, Atropine and supportive difficulty breathing, and care. vomiting. Many varieties GI irritation Fast onset of vomiting, Decontamination and Generally good with diarrhea, and abdominal activated charcoal. supportive care. discomfort. GI support medications. Cortinarius, rare in N. Kidney Delayed onset (3-20 days) Decontamination and Variable depending on America of kidney failure. activated charcoal imme- dose and severity of diately following ingestion. signs. Can lead to severe Supportive care for kidney kidney failure requiring failure once symptoms dialysis. develop.

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