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Dog Days of Summer: "Death Cap" Mushrooms

PetSugar — Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:30:49 -0700

As if the ominous name didn't clue you in, death caps are very dangerous. This species is responsible for the majority – 95 percent! – of fatal mushroom poisoning of people and pets. Not commonly found throughout the US, the fungi have been reported in areas as wide-reaching as upstate NY and New Jersey over to southern Oregon and the San Francisco Bay Area.

If you're taking a walk with your pooch, know how to recognize and avoid the (scientific name) Amanita phalloides. They grow year-round and thrive in moist environments commonly found on the roots of live trees. Although the above picture is one example, exact identification is unreliable because their appearance can vary . . . translation: Don't eat, or let pets eat, any wild growing mushrooms.

Learn how this affects your pets and should be treated when you read more.

Untreated ingestion of even a small portion of a death cap mushroom can be fatal because it causes liver injury and failure. If you suspect that a pet has sampled this species, bring him to the vet immediately. If treated early enough, the doctors can induce vomiting and give activated charcoal to save your pooch.

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Fight Six Summertime Dangers

PetSugar — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 08:30:32 -0700

Such a lovely season doesn't come without dangers! From scorching sidewalks to balmy sunlight, plenty of perils lurk right in your neighborhood. Keep dogs safe and healthy this Summer and know the risks of and remedies for the following six hazards.

Poison patrol: Mushrooms	Poison patrol: Cocoa mulch	Poison patrol: Trash
How-to: Remove a tick	How-to: Soothe paw burns	How-to: Treat heat stroke

Pet-Proofing Your Home: Poisonous Plants

PetSugar — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 07:00:01 -0800

There are many steps to pet proofing your home and, for the first in this series, we'll eliminate poisonous plants. Keep animals safe and view every item placed in pet's reach as something he or she may try to take a nibble on. Different types pose different threats so stay on top of them by checking each one in your house against the ASPCA's toxic plant list. If you find a match, please remove it from your home (or be certain it's far out of pet's reach) – you never know what pets will decide to sample.

Keeping house plants can purify the air quality in your home, and safe ones can give kitty a special snack. However, many commonly-kept plants can have negative effects on pets if ingested, including ones that can affect the heart like azaleas, rhododendron, and oleander, ones that can affect that kidney like lilies, shamrock, and rhubarb, and ones that can affect the liver like the sago palms and some mushroom varieties.

Lucky for us, the ASPCA also provides a list of non-toxic plants (including common bouquet flowers) to cross-check with. That way, if someone gives you a sweet gift, you'll know where to display it!

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