Veterinarians at UC Davis issued a warning to pet owners following the death of a puppy who ingested a mushroom commonly found in northern California. According to the Sacramento Bee, on Wednesday, an eight-week-old puppy named Griffin died after eating death cap (Amanita phalloides) mushroom which had been growing in his owner’s yard.
According to a release from UC Davis, just a small amount of the death cap mushrooms can cause the liver to shut down, as well as damage kidneys and the intestinal tract (in animals AND humans). Wikipedia outlines just how dangerous the mushrooms can be:
Consumption of the death cap is a medical emergency requiring hospitalization. The four main categories of therapy for poisoning are preliminary medical care, supportive measures, specific treatments, and liver transplantation.
Griffin had been brought in for veterinary treatment just one day after he ate a mushroom, but treatment was not enough to save him from the deadly effect of the fungus.
(Image screenshot via SacBee)
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My heart goes out to the family of this dog, this could happen to anyone. I have heard of this before and since I don’t know which mushrooms are poison and which aren’t I have spend many hours patrolling my yard to clear it of any mushrooms. Rest in peace Griffin, condolences to your family.
During Spring & Summer, we walk our yard, where the dogs potty, several times a day looking for toadstool and mushrooms.