The human intoxiciation from mushrooms has been the focus of this training module. However, pets can also suffer mushroom poisonings. Dogs take an interest in Amanita phalloides and Inocybe species, possibly because of their fishy odor. Both these genera can be deadly in dogs. A. muscaria and A. pantherina also have a fishy odor and when consumed by dogs can cause them to go into a deep coma-like sleep. Fortunately, recovery usually happens within 6 hours but can take as long as 72 hours. Cats do not seem to be as disposed as dogs to eating wild mushrooms. When they do ingest mushrooms, cats tend to be attracted to wild mushrooms which their owner has collected, dried, and stored in the house. A number of such wild mushrooms are very lethal to cats. If a pet owner suspects mushroom poisoning a veterinarian or Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) should be contacted (APCC telephone number: 888-426-4435—note that there is a fee for their services). The pet owner should try to get the mushroom identified paying special attention to the location where the mushroom was collected. Mushrooms can potentially incorporate pesticides or other harmful substances that may have been distributed in the area.
