Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine & Veterinary Hospital shared a warning about these dangerous mushrooms and the potential threat they pose to our pets. 

Mushroom Identification

When it comes to mushrooms, you have to be very careful when identifying them before ingesting them.  One wrong ID and the consequences could range from making you very sick to even deadly.

According to Mushroom Expert, some of the reasons identifying different mushrooms can be such a struggle is that there are numerous variations, and you cannot simply compare a mushroom to a picture and automatically obtain an ID.

Identifying mushrooms is often much more difficult than identifying birds, for example, or trees. There are tens of thousands of species, many of which have not even been named! Comparing mushrooms to pictures is rarely successful. Instead, carefully studying the mushrooms and using identification "keys," which ask questions to narrow down possibilities, is a more successful strategy.

For this reason, it's critical to seek assistance if your pet ingests mushrooms in your yard.

Death Cap Mushrooms Reported Across Indiana

According to the Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine & Veterinary Hospital, Amanita phalloides, or as they're more commonly known, "Death Cap Mushrooms," have been reported across the Hoosier State.

Since these mushrooms have been reported across the state, it's extremely important to keep an eye on your pets and children when they're outside.

Amanita phalloides, also known as the “Death Cap,” has appeared in yards and fields across central Indiana. These mushrooms typically emerge between July and November and can be deadly to dogs of all sizes—even with prompt treatment.

They look very similar to harmless mushrooms and can only be identified accurately by an expert. Ingesting them can cause severe liver and kidney damage within 24–48 hours and may be fatal.

If your dog eats a mushroom, contact a veterinarian immediately. Don’t wait—early intervention is critical.

The Purdue University Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (ADDL) offers toxicology testing for suspected cases involving mushrooms, nitrates, cyanide, and blue-green algae.

Link in comments for sample submission instructions to ADDL.

-Purdue University College of Veterinary Medicine & Hospital

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Death Cap Mushrooms Have Been Used in Murder Plots

Just recently, a high-profile murder trial took place in Australia, and a woman named Erin Patterson was found guilty of murdering her in-laws by using these mushrooms in her beef Wellington.  So it's no exaggeration when you read that these mushrooms are extremely toxic.