Deadly fungi kills family’s beautiful dog
AFAMILY’S beloved 13-monthold black Labrador Isla has died after eating a death cap mushroom and now her owner and vets wants to warn that this is the season when the lethal fungus is most common in Devon.
Vets have confirmed that they believe the dog died after eating a death cap. Considered one of the world’s deadliest mushrooms, amanita phalloides is responsible for more than 90 per cent of mushroom deaths worldwide. The death cap mushroom resembles safer varieties and is said to taste pleasant, but just 1oz is enough to kill a human.
Businessman James PritchardBarrett was walking his three Labradors with family near South Brent when James saw older dog Ottie eating the toadstool and pulled him away.
Eight-year-old Ottie was sick within 10 minutes and survived. But unknown to the family the inquisi
tive younger dog had also eaten the mushroom. Because of her stronger constitution it was 24 hours before they knew she was ill.
Despite vets working through the night to save her, it was too late. death cap works like toxic chemical paraquat and had already caused irreversible fatal internal injuries.
James said he particularly wanted to thank South Moor Vets’ Ruth Walden at the Endsleigh surgery: “Ruth was just outstanding. She stayed up all night and did absolutely everything to help.”
In a previous outbreak in Devon the fly agaric mushroom was responsible for a dog’s death on Woodbury Common.
James said his family is devastated, and wants to warn others about the lethal mushrooms growing in Devon: “I really want to raise awareness and prevent any other dogs’ deaths,” he said. “We have other dogs but Isla was particularly special. It was that early stage when you do a lot of training and she was so intelligent and this was so unexpected.
“She really was part of the family and it’s difficult to take. I had never heard of this particular mushroom being a problem for dogs, but I have now done a lot of research.
“I saw the older dog Ottie go for it and stopped her eating it but she must have had a bit – but she has a delicate stomach and sort of selfmedicated and was sick within 10 minutes.
“I didn’t see the pup take a bite. She was absolutely fine for the rest of the day but after 24 hours it went off like a time bomb.
“Suddenly she could barely stand and we bundled her to the vets. They did everything to help her and I really want to thank them. But there was nothing anybody could do.”
A spokesperson for South Moor Vets said: “With the weather we have had lately, large numbers of mushrooms and fungi are popping up everywhere. We believe the mushrooms that were ingested were death cap mushrooms.”
The fishy-smelling fungus grows in woodland areas from August to November. Initial symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea and severe abdominal pain from six to 24 hours after ingestion.