April showers bring May flowers and wild mushrooms…

Mushrooms can be poisonous to dogs

April showers are finally past, the flowers are blooming, and your yard is sprouting wild mushrooms?

While not all wild mushrooms are toxic to dogs, it is prudent to treat all mushrooms as toxic.  Toxic mushrooms are divisible into eight groups with varying symptoms and associated treatments (Toxicology Brief, Mushroom Poisoning in Dogs, Vetrinary Medicine 2007). If you suspect your dog has consumed wild mushrooms, it is important that you take your dog to the veterinarian as soon as possible including a sample of the wild mushroom (preferably in a moist paper towel rather than a plastic bag).

Suzy's dog Kalee helps inspect the yard for toxic mushrooms

Tips for preventing and recognizing exposure to wild mushrooms:

• Perform a daily inspection of your yard for mushrooms (perhaps while you are mowing and inspecting for sharp objects).
• Keep close tabs on your dog when hiking, at the dog park, or a friend’s house to be sure he or she is not indulging in an unknown treat.
• Know the common signs of wild mushroom poisoning such as vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy and abnormal drooling.

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