OT: ?? for all you science guys...warning = not too pleasant

[kev-dog1]

Long story here...I'll try to be brief

I know we have some doctors on the board and other science dudes, so I thought someone here might be able to help.

I hope this will not offend folks.

One of my dogs has an upset tummy tonight. After cleaning up his kennel I go out in the backyard to inspect his latest "deposit". I turn to find a rather large patch of mushrooms. I'm talking 80 'shrooms in a 6' x 6' area.
I know mushrooms can be toxic, and could be the cause of his tummy upset.

My question is: What causes shrooms to grow?

Two possibilities, the first I pray to God is not the cause:

1 The 'shrooms are growing in the area that I buried my dog Crash, a rather large dog, who died 20 months ago. Crash is buried 3.5 - 4 feet deep, wrapped in plastic and a blanket.

2 I've also re-seeded the backyard recently and spread out lots of hay.
AND we had lots of rain this past weekend.

Can anyone shed any light on this patch of mushrooms and why they're growing?

kev

 

[fishdoc11]

I seriously doubt the mushrooms have anything to do with your dogs grave. He should be long since decomposed. I would suspect they came up after spores germinated after the rain.....I am far from a mushroom expert however. Did you call your vet?
Chris

 

[kev-dog1]

Hey Chris
Glad to see my aim hit the mark I figured you'd be a good source to ask.
Haven't called the vet...didn't discover our "situation" til after hours. Mostly Simon just has the "trots" and otherwise is his usual playful self.
Thanks for the reassurance about Crash's grave...guess the mushrooms there are merely a coincidence. I got rid of them in any case.
Thanks

 

[fishdoc11]

You might want to watch him close and call in the AM just to make sure.
Good luck, Chris

 

[danieljames]

Rains always bring mushrooms back home. Pretty purple ringed ones. Glad your dog seems safe man. I've never heard of a dog munching on live shrooms. Shroom poisoning is not a pretty way to go. Gastric distress is just the beginning.

 

[rcmike]

From what I have gathered in a quick search is mushrooms grow in areas of high decaying organic matter.

 

[fishdoc11]

How is he doing Kev?

 

[kev-dog1]

Simon seems fine this morning, no change in his behavior (he's very puppyish and happy) other than runny stools. We've not fed him since yesterday morning, but will start him on a bland diet today. Last nights late night walk produced nothing, but this morning he pooped a bit, still soft.

We don't know if it is indeed the shrooms, they could be coincidental. It just seemed odd that all of a sudden here is a large patch of shrooms when he is having poop problems.
Even more coincidental is the location of the shrooms.
The shrooms are a dark brown top about the size of a 50 cent piece with a creamy whitish stalk.

Another cause could be: Panacure. Our other dog, Angus, was diagnosed with whipworms. And we've been treating them both (Vet's advice) for that. It's a powder you put on their food for three days, three consecutive months. This is the third month. We had no problems the first two months, but Sunday night we began the final treatment, and since then his stools have been soft.

I'll be checking on him again at lunch...fingers crossed he's doing better today.

 

[Sk8r]

Your hay mulch might far more likely be the source of the shrooms. Spores ride in with that, the rain comes, bingo!

 

[kev-dog1]

Yeah I thought of the hay too, its just that the shrooms are no where else and the hay is everywhere.
More rain coming down today, so we'll see if more shrooms follow.

 

[Tomoko Schum]

I think your dog's condition is very coincidental.

Did you know that commercial mushroom growers grow their mushrooms (the common white ones and criminis, too) in horse manure? Shiitake mushrooms on the other hand grow on decayed oak trees. Composted materials or decaying straw and wood is great for growing mushrooms. Dog poos can certainly provide some nutrients to nearby mushroom spores.

I often see mushrooms sprouting in the yard and empty lots after the benediction of rain. I have seen mushrooms in my dog's deposits, too (that's not the only thing to my dismay.)

Tomoko

 

[imsqueak]

Another probably not related thing with mushrooms growing; I dump my waterchange water off the back patio, and where I dump it, I have (had, mowed them down) a 3' area of mushrooms. No, not pretty colored SW kind, just brown mushrooms which I only noticed when my 2 y/o grand daughter went over and picked one!

 

[cee]

Mushrooms are always preceeded by mycelium, which is a typically white mold-like substance from which the mushrooms "sprout". It does require some form of organic matter to grow on, typically buried just underground to maintain adequate moisture levels. It is always present, but the fruiting bodies (mushrooms) only "sprout" when there is sufficient moisture to support production of the mushrooms. If you buried your dog 3-4' deep there is no connection to the mushrooms.

Dave

 

[TitansFan]

From the wife's mouth.. She is leaning torwards the whipworm. She says it will live in the yard. Only thing that will kill it is a hard frost. Runny stools and losing weight are symptoms. If one dog has whipworms and your other has not been on heartworm medicine she says its a very high chance Simon has them as well. She asks if Simon is on heartworm medicine as it will prevent it. She hasn't heard of the on the foot medicine for 3 months. She says they treat by drontal (a pill) a one time dose repeated in 3 weeks or panicure granulars sprinkled on the food for 3 days. She was confused as the panicure should be ingested. Drontal is what they use the most. A fecal is recommended. She does want to know who told you to use panicure on their feet.

 

[kev-dog1]

I am very relieved to learn that Crash's grave and the mushroom patch are coincidental. Crash was a very special dog in our lives, which is why we chose to bury him closeby.

I'm guessing the shrooms came from spores in the hay that was spread over the strewn grass seed and with the rain they sprouted. I recall that "white mold-like substance" on some of it. I got rid of them and will check to see if they return.

Simon's diet has been limited since his kennel episode. No food for 24 hrs, then we started a bland rice and boiled burger mix last night. Hopefully he as passed the worst. (sorry for the pun...not really, ha ha)

We consulted our vet, Murphy Road, and got some Flagyl should the condition persist.

TitanFan - The panacure IS spread on the food, not the foot...but that is a funny thought - lol. Whipworms are not only hard to detect, but very hard to get rid of too as you say. Both dogs are on heartworm medication (although not while we are treating with panacure). We sprinkle the panacure granules on their food 3 days in a row, and repeat this once a month for 3 months.

Thanks for the advice and opines everyone!
kev

 

[Phyto]

For the gilled fungi, or basidiomycete, at least two spores need to fall fairly close to each other. When the temperature and moisture level is right, the spores will germinate. Spores can lay dormant for years, waiting for the proper conditions. Germination conditions can vary from species to species. After germination, the proper food source is needed to continue the lifecycle. This may also be species specific. Gilled fungi require many of the same vitamins, amino acids and macro and micro nutrients as their photosynthetic plant cousins. These are provided through various sources (manures, decomposing plant matter, fertilizers, seeds (including grass) and grains to name a few).
With sufficient food, the germinated spore will grow root-like hyphae or mycelium. Each germinated spore can form an underground network of mycelium. Mycelial networks may be miles long and remain underground indefinitely. When the hyphae from one spore reaches the hyphae of a compatible species, they mate. After mating, the fruit body (or mushroom) can form. The proper temperature, moisture and light (in some cases) are needed for mushrooms to form. Gilled fungi are about 91% water by weight. This is why you see them after heavy rains and why they are more commonly seen in moist environments like rainforests.
Some gilled fungi are phototrophic, meaning they grow towards the light. These fungi usually need light to contact the mycelium in order to produce the fruit body. The light, moisture and temperature are all cues telling the fungi it is time to spread its spores and continue life. Spores can travel hundreds of miles from their parentââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s gills through hurricanes, tornadoes, rivers, bagged manure, clothing, pets, wildlife, mail order plants, landscaping mulch, nursery plants and the list goes on. This long journey may or may not mean successful germination for the spore. It all depends on environmental conditions.
Animals usually know the difference in harmful and safe fungi. It usually only takes one smell or taste. Many animals, like reindeer, seek out fungi for their taste and/or effects of ingestion.
Fungi are a cornerstone of the worldââ"šÂ¬Ã¢"žÂ¢s terrestrial ecosystems. They are our decomposers. Without them we would have layers of stinky, diseased, unrecycled dead matter all over. Fungi purify the earth. Among many things, they have been used as medicine, food, and in religious ceremonies for over one thousand years.
I wish the best for your dogs Kev. And as for your lawn, you may want to research mychorrhizal fungus. It is a way to harness the benefits of beneficial fungi to make your potted plants, trees, flower beds and lawn grow like you were in a rain forest. It is worth your time and a little money if you are serious about grasping the full potential of your lawn and flowers.
I hope this sheds some light on the mushroom lifecycle, as I have just brushed on some key points. Fungi are fascinating organisms. Do a little research and explore your yards and woods. Be tolerant of them as they are vital to our survival on this huge, spinning rock. :mixed:

 

[kev-dog1]

Wow! This guys knows of what he speaks!

 

[gflat65]

I'm sticking with Daniel's purple rimmed (around the stalk) mushrooms. I wondered if anyone else got it (or if I read more into it than was intended).

 

[TitansFan]

kev-dogr1: Sorry when I said the foot. I missed read it. No wonder the wife looked at me like I was crazy when I said foot. In all the years she has worked at the clinic she had never heard of this. She did say its a very low chance prolly only 10% chance the dogs should have gotten the worms while on heartworm prevention. It contains ivermectin which should kill most worms including hookworms. Are your dogs on heartguard or interceptor? She recommends interceptor as it covers and kills more parasites including whipworms unlike heartguard. Again this is the wife talking I know nothing of this stuff

Phyto: wow. Amazing information. Curous how closely related are marine mushrooms to their cousins outside?

 

[kev-dog1]

I'm pretty sure we're on Heartgard...that's Connie's dept. She's a walking dog encyclopedia.
What clinic does your wife work at?