Our Dog Was Poisoned By Common Wild Mushroom Found In Wisconsin Yards

I heard a rumble coming from our dog. At first, I didn't think anything of it. She probably just got into something, right? Then, after she didn't eat for two days, we brought her in to the vet.

She had some swelling and some elevated kidney levels in her bloodwork. There was also some bleeding and swelling. She was given some pain meds and ordered a bland diet and to keep an eye on her. She's doing better about a week later, but it was a pretty bad gastrointestinal issue. We weren't sure what caused it.

My daughter suggested maybe it was all the mushrooms that were growing in the yard? Mushrooms, really? Since when? I just mowed the other day and didn't see any.

Wild mushrooms popped up in our backyard literally overnight. I didn't even notice them until I went out to play soccer with my daughter. Sure enough, they were everywhere, and knowing my dog, she had to eat some of them. So I started to do some research and realized that it was more than likely the culprit for making our dog so sick.

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Dogs are attracted to mushrooms due to scent and curiosity.

Mushrooms can be deadly for dogs. Even non-fatal mushrooms can cause severe vomiting or diarrhea. You shouldn't let your dog eat any mushrooms to be safe. Some mushrooms, like the "destroying angel" mushroom that's found in Minnesota and Wisconsin, can cause liver and kidney failure.

False Parasol

The most frequently eaten poisonous mushroom in North America is the False Parasol. It's common in North America in yards, lawns, and parks. It can cause severe diarrhea and vomiting.

Check your yard and remove mushrooms immediately.

I'm going to start checking my yard daily for mushrooms. I mowed the lawn on a Sunday. By Wednesday, there were mushrooms big enough to make our dog sick. They can grow fast!

Read More: If You Find These Holes In Your Yard, Be Very Careful

Wear gloves when you remove mushrooms to avoid getting anything toxic on your skin. Download a mushroom identification app to learn what kind of mushrooms are growing on your property.

When you should bring your dog to the vet.

If you witness your dog eating a mushroom, contact your vet immediately. Don't wait for symptoms. Organ failure can happen before signs of symptoms. If you can, bring a sample of the mushroom with you.

You can also call the Wisconsin Poison Control at 1-888-426-4435. The hotline is staffed by veterinary toxicologists.