Mushroom Poisoning in Dogs: Symptoms and When to Seek Vet Care

Symptoms of mushroom poisoning vary depending on the type of mushroom eaten and the toxin involved. Some pets develop signs within a few hours, while others may initially appear well before becoming unwell. 

Signs can include: 

• Vomiting and diarrhoea 

• Excessive drooling 

• Abdominal discomfort 

• Lethargy or weakness 

• Wobbliness or loss of coordination 

• Changes in behaviour, such as agitation or confusion 

• Tremors or seizures 

• Changes in thirst or urination 

• Yellowing of the gums, skin or whites of the eyes (jaundice) 

• Collapse 

Some mushroom toxins mainly affect the nervous system, while others can cause serious damage to the liver or kidneys. A delay in symptoms does not necessarily mean that a pet is out of danger, so veterinary advice should be sought promptly if mushroom ingestion is suspected. 

If you know or suspect that your pet has eaten a wild or unidentified mushroom, contact your vet as soon as possible, even if they appear completely well. Some of the more serious mushroom poisonings can have a delayed onset, with a pet appearing normal for several hours before signs develop. In some cases, there may even be a period when they appear to have recovered before more serious liver or kidney problems become apparent. 

Seek urgent veterinary attention if your pet has eaten a mushroom and develops: 

• Excessive drooling 

• Weakness, wobbliness or unusual behaviour 

• Tremors or seizures 

• Difficulty breathing 

• Collapse 

If possible, take a photograph of the mushroom where it was growing and, if safe to do so, bring a sample with you. This may help your veterinary team identify the mushroom and assess the potential risk. 

Diagnosing mushroom poisoning can be challenging because there are many different species of mushrooms, and the toxins they contain can cause very different effects. Your vet will consider what happened, when the mushroom may have been eaten and any signs your pet is showing. If possible, a photograph or sample of the mushroom can be very helpful in identifying the potential toxin. 

Your vet may also recommend blood tests to check your pet's general health and look for evidence of damage to organs such as the liver and kidneys. Further monitoring or repeat blood tests may be needed if there is a concern about a toxin that can cause delayed organ damage. 

Treatment for mushroom poisoning depends on the type of mushroom involved, how much may have been eaten, when it was eaten and whether your pet is showing any signs of illness. Your vet will assess the individual circumstances and decide what treatment is appropriate. 

Treatment may include supportive care such as fluids, medication to control vomiting or neurological signs, and careful monitoring of your pet's condition. If there is concern that the mushroom could cause liver or kidney damage, blood tests may be repeated to monitor these organs over the following days. 

Pets with more serious poisoning may need to stay in hospital for intensive monitoring and treatment. The earlier veterinary advice is sought, the more options there may be for treatment and monitoring. 

The risk of mushroom poisoning can be reduced by preventing pets from eating wild mushrooms. Check gardens regularly, particularly during autumn, and remove any mushrooms that appear. 

When walking dogs, take care in areas where wild mushrooms are present and discourage scavenging. Training a reliable “leave it” command can help reduce the risk of ingestion. 

Particular care should be taken with dogs that routinely eat objects or food found outdoors. 

The outlook following mushroom ingestion depends on the species of mushroom, the toxin involved, the amount eaten and how quickly treatment is started. Many cases cause gastrointestinal or neurological signs that can resolve with appropriate treatment, but some mushroom toxins can cause severe liver or kidney damage and may be fatal. 

Where serious toxicity is suspected, close monitoring may be required for several days because organ damage can develop after an initial period with few or no clinical signs. Early veterinary assessment and treatment provide the best chance of a positive outcome.