Mushroom and plant poisoning: the hazards of autumn walks with your dog

Autumn is a lovely season for walks, but for pets who explore everything with such curiosity it is also a time of heightened poisoning risk. As the leaves come down, mushrooms push up through the ground and some plants drop toxic fruits and seeds. Dogs, and sometimes cats too, will happily pick up or swallow whatever they find, so owners need to be especially alert to the dangers hidden in damp autumn leaf litter.

Mushrooms: silent killers in the leaf litter

Mushrooms are one of the biggest autumn hazards. Many look deceptively like the species people eat, and most fungi that are toxic to us are toxic to animals as well. Even a small amount of a highly poisonous mushroom such as the death cap (Amanita phalloides) can kill a dog.

• Where they grow: in parks, in woodland and often on garden lawns, wherever damp, cool soil encourages them.
• How the toxins work: fungal toxins most often attack the liver and kidneys, causing these organs to fail, or act on the nervous system and bring on seizures and hallucinations.
• The safety rule: if you have the slightest doubt about which species you are looking at, treat it as potentially lethal and keep your dog away from it at once.

Plants: toxic fruits and seeds

Autumn also brings a hazard from many popular ornamental plants and trees, whose fallen fruits and seeds suddenly lie within easy reach. A good number of them contain toxic compounds: horse chestnuts, for instance, can cause vomiting, diarrhoea and seizures, while eating acorns can lead to kidney damage and serious gastrointestinal trouble. The yew (Taxus) is particularly dangerous — its foliage and seeds can cause heart failure and even sudden death. The berries and leaves of common ivy are toxic too, as is every part of the autumn crocus, which can damage the liver and kidneys. The risk is highest in gardens and parks, so take particular care that your pet does not pick these things up off the ground.

First aid and what to do:

1. Stay calm: keep the animal as still as you can.
2. Secure the source of the toxin: if you can, bring a sample of whatever the dog ate (a piece of the mushroom, a leaf, a berry). It is crucial for a quick diagnosis!
3. Straight to the clinic: get in touch with us immediately. Treatment rests on stabilising the patient, inducing vomiting (where that is safe and appropriate) and starting supportive care for liver and kidney function (detoxification, fluid therapy).

Prevention: the key to safe walks

Prevention beats treatment. A few simple rules are worth putting in place for the autumn season:

• Obedience training: teaching your dog “leave it” and “drop it” matters most of all. Practise walking on a loose lead so that you can react quickly when your pet finds something.
• Closer supervision: in autumn, keep your dog on the lead wherever mushrooms or toxic plants grow. A basket muzzle can be a good solution for dogs who habitually pick up everything they pass.
• Check your garden: clear away any poisonous mushrooms and fruits from your own grounds.
• Learn the plants: find out which species are toxic and steer clear of them on walks.

Your vigilance and quick response save lives — if you suspect poisoning at all, do not wait for signs to develop, contact us straight away!