Exposure of a cat to human-edible mushrooms: were they toxic?

Liatis, T. , Adamama-Moraitou, K., Pardali, D., Kavarnos, I., Bates, N. and Rallis, T. (2018) Exposure of a cat to human-edible mushrooms: were they toxic? Hellenic Journal of Companion Animal Medicine, 7(2), pp. 50-54.

Abstract

The owners of a 3-month-old female DSH cat witnessed her eating raw mushrooms of the species Boletus edulis, Boletus aereus and Amanita caesarea. These mushrooms are edible for humans and highly prized in various cuisines. Vomiting, hypersalivation, horizontal head oscillation and limb muscle tremor were developed within 6 hours. Two days later the cat was admitted due to depression and anorexia, while the neurologic signs had subsided. Dehydration, depression, lymphopenia, increased serum urea nitrogen concentration, proteinuria and bilirubinuria were detected. During the 5-day-hospitalisation period, treatment comprised of intravenous fluids, and per os vitamin E and hepatoprotectants (SAMe – vitamin Ε – vitamin C – silibinin complex). Due to mucohaemorrhagic diarrhoea present on the first day of hospitalisation, ampicillin and sucralfate were subsequently added. The kitten recovered completely a week later and was still healthy 8 months later. Mushrooms in general, are classified as edible or poisonous; the latter could be hepatotoxic, neurotoxic, nephrotoxic, gastroenterotoxic, muscarinic or coprinoid. This basic classification based on human experience may not apply to other species, and consequently “edible” mushroom species may be potentially toxic for animals. In addition, in many cases of mushroom ingestion in animals, the species involved remained unidentified. Thus, this case report describes presumed poisoning from three identified mushrooms, Boletus edulis, Boletus aereus and/or Amanita caesarea, which are considered edible for humans, but caused gastrointestinal, hepatic and neurologic signs in a cat. Prognosis in these cases may be favourable, if early supportive care is instituted.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Liatis, Dr Theophanes
• Authors: Liatis, T., Adamama-Moraitou, K., Pardali, D., Kavarnos, I., Bates, N., and Rallis, T.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
• Journal Name: Hellenic Journal of Companion Animal Medicine
• Publisher: Hellenic Companion Animal Veterinary Society
• ISSN: 2241-1569