09/21/2026
VERY IMPORTANT!!!!!! PLEASE BE AWARE AND WATCH YOUR DOGS CLOSELY AND WALK YOUR PROPERTIES. With all the rain we have had lately there are A LOT of mushrooms and fungus popping up in lawns and wooded areas.
Several species of highly toxic wild mushrooms grow in Pennsylvania that can cause irreversible organ failure, neurological distress, or death if ingested by a dog. Because dogs have indiscriminate eating habits, they are highly susceptible to mushroom poisoning.
The most dangerous wild mushrooms commonly found in Pennsylvania include:💀 Deadly Hepatotoxic Mushrooms (Liver Failure)These mushrooms contain cyclopeptides (amatoxins), which destroy the liver. A major danger of these species is a delayed onset of symptoms (6 to 24 hours), meaning a dog might appear completely fine initially while internal organ damage progresses.Destroying Angel (Amanita bisporigera): A stark white mushroom commonly found in PA woods and lawns near trees. Ingestion can lead to full liver failure in just a few days.Death Cap (Amanita phalloides): Though less common than the Destroying Angel, it is globally the most frequent culprit of animal mushroom fatalities. It causes acute liver failure.Funeral Bell (Galerina marginata): Small, brown mushrooms that grow on decaying wood, containing the same deadly liver toxins as the Death Cap.🧠Neurotoxic Mushrooms (Severe Neurological Distress)These mushrooms attack the central nervous system. Symptoms usually appear much faster, sometimes within 20 to 30 minutes.Eastern Yellow Fly Agaric (Amanita muscaria var. guessowii): This is the yellowish-orange version of the famous red-and-white Fly Agaric. It is highly prevalent in Eastern Pennsylvania yards and woods during late summer and autumn. It has a fishy smell that naturally attracts dogs, and even a single cap can cause severe neurological distress, seizures, and death.False Morels (Gyromitra spp.): Often found in wooded areas, these contain hydrazine toxins that cause severe tremors, seizures, and carry a very guarded prognosis for survival.🚨 Critical Emergency ActionsIf you suspect your dog has eaten a wild mushroom, treat it as a medical emergency:Go to a Vet Immediately: Do not wait for symptoms like vomiting, drooling, or staggering to appear. Early veterinary treatment (like inducing vomiting or using activated charcoal) is the best way to save a dog's life.Contact Poison Control: Call your local vet, the nearest emergency animal hospital, or the Pet Poison Helpline.Save a Sample: Use a glove or shovel to collect any remaining pieces of the mushroom. Place them in a paper bag (plastic bags trap moisture and degrade the fungus) and take pictures of the top, gills, and stem. This helps mycologists and toxicologists rapidly identify the exact species to guide treatment.
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Phone Number: (888) 426-4435
