SOME GOOD NEWS

ABOUT DEATH CAP MUSHROOMS??

<<<<<<<<<<<<< UPDATE Jan, 25, 2021 >>>>>>>>>>>>>

THERE IS AN EXPERIMENTAL TREATMENT

The adapted Santa Cruz Protocol for dogs has been published into "The Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care (JVECC)."  Here is the link to the journal article, "Clinical recovery of 5 dogs from amatoxin mushroom, mousing using and adapted Santa Cruz protocol for people" 

Please share this information and link with your veterinarians...especially if your dog is suspected and/or diagnosed with mushroom toxicity from a Death Cap Mushroom. (read below in the blog for more information describing the treatment.

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Yes, you read that correctly. With the rainy season upon us, we must remain ever vigilant looking out for DeathCaps, but this year we have a new tool in our arsenal to detect amatoxin! 

THE AMATOXtest

I've been helping a group of people who are bringing to market a quick and easy way to test for amatoxin, the poison in Death Cap Mushrooms. Quoting from their press release, "The AMATOXtest is revolutionary because it puts the ability to detect amatoxin directly into the hands of clinicians, veterinarians, mycologists, and anyone who is wondering whether the mushroom in their yard is deadly."

The AMATOXtest is similar to a pregnancy test and was developed by researchers at the USDA Agricultural Research Service. 

What is it so fantastic?  Because you can test a small bit of a mushroom or urine from a puppy or human that is suspected of mushroom toxicity and get a clear readout in a few minutes if there is any amatoxin present! Other tests need to be sent out to a laboratory and require a lengthy wait for the results to come back. And as we all know, time is of the essence when dealing with mushroom poisoning.

 

Here's the bottomline...

• If you have mushrooms growing in your yard now you can break of a small piece and test it to see if it contains amatoxin.
• If you suspect your dog ate a Death Cap you and/or your vet can test his urine and know within minutes if it contains amatoxin. This is huge!!

Check out the AMATOXtest website to learn more, read the journal reports and watch a video on how to do the test.

www.amatoxtest.com

Let's all help get the word out!

please tell your veterinarians about AMAToXtest

The faster we spread the word

The more dogs and people we can help

   

A SIMPLE EXPLANATION OF HOW A DEATH CAP KILLS

The amatoxin poison contained in the mushroom enters the body through the mouth and is rapidly absorbed by the stomach and small intestine. A specialized transporter called OATP1B3 located on the surface of liver cells and intended for the recycling of bile salts pulls amatoxin out of the blood and into the liver where the poison shuts down cellular protein synthesis, leading to cell death. Once in the liver, amatoxin is expelled into bile and concentrated in the gallbladder before being released back into the gut with the next meal. This recycled poison is once again absorbed by the intestine allowing the cycle to repeat. Circulating amatoxin is cleared by the kidneys and eliminated as long as urine output is maintained. If not, circulating amatoxin reaches the liver and continues to kill more cells. This cycle of repeated poisoning leads to acute liver failure and death within few days, even after a small ingestion. 

Treatment

S. Todd Mitchell MD came up with a brilliant idea, referred to as the Santa Cruz Protocol. Basically flushing the amatoxin out so it cannot continue re-poisoning the liver. He provides enhanced IV hydration to prevent kidney injury and allow circulating amatoxin to be eliminated in the urine. The patient is also given silibinin (an intravenous drug prepared from the common milk thistle) to bind the OATP1B3 transporter and prevent the liver from re-absorbing more of the poison. IV silibinin is readily available for human use in Europe but not in North America and nowhere for veterinary use.  
 
Mitchell collaborated with California veterinarians and successfully adapted the Santa Cruz Protocol to canine amatoxin mushroom poisonings, including the enhanced IV hydration and substituting biliary drainage for the IV silibinin. 

<<<<<<<<<<<<< UPDATE Jan, 25, 2021 >>>>>>>>>>>>>

The protocol has just been published into veterinary literature in January, 2021. It describes "the clinical course, treatment and outcome of five dogs following ingestion of Amanita spp. mushrooms containing amatoxins using an adapted version of the Santa Cruz protocol." All dogs survived.  

Here is the link to the study  "Clinical recovery of 5 dogs from amatoxin mushroom, mousing using and adapted Santa Cruz protocol for people" with detailed information. Please share this information and link with your veterinarians...especially if your dog is suspected and/or diagnosed with mushroom toxicity from a Death Cap Mushroom. 

<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

IF YOU SEE DEATH CAPS GROWING IN YOUR AREA

• Pick them, bag them, splash them with bleach, and throw them out. Don't let your dog see you digging them up, for it will only peak their interest.
• Go to "Death Cap Poster" in this blog's menu bar. Print out the poster and put them up where you've seen the mushrooms growing to warn others. Also take posters to your vets office and ask if they will post them at their front desk.
• Call your local news stations and newspapers and ask them to do a story warning the public about DeathCaps and Mushroom Poisoning.
• Contact info@amatoxtest.com to help get the word out about flushes of deadly mushrooms across the country. They hope to become a center for information about these deadly mushrooms. Your contributions will help keep us all and our pups safe.

  REMEMBER

If you suspect your dog or child has eaten a DeathCap Mushroom

the first 24 hours are critical...

it can be the difference between life and death.

  IT IS MY HOPE

THAT LITTLE DONATO, BRUTUS, OTTO , COSBY, BELLA & TRUFFLES,

AND LITTLE DIXIE

WILL CARRY THIS MESSAGE 

AROUND THE WORLD

AND KEEP ALL OF OUR PUPS AND DOGS SAFE

It's raining on the West Coast 

Death Caps will be popping up soon!

Here is California it's been raining. It's just a matter of time before we start seeing DeathCaps. North of us in Canada they are having major problems. Check out the links below. 

https://www.abbynews.com/news/staff-close-woods-behind-delta-school-after-two-dogs-reportedly-died-from-poison/

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/wild-mushroom-poisonous-bc-1.5338174

Please, let's stay safe out there. 

   

A Simple explanation of how the Death Cap kills.

Amanitin enters the body through the mouth, is absorbed in the stomach and small intestine, and is transported directly to the liver, where it kills a bunch of cells.  Some of it is flushed into the kidney, where it kills a bunch of cells and is pissed out of the body.  Some is taken up into the gall bladder, where it gets dumped into the bile, which is released.  That amanitin is again absorbed by the intestine, and goes through the same cycle.  That's why it takes a few days for amanitin to kill the liver and kidney.  It's the repeat exposure that kills.

Dr. Todd Mitchell came up with a brilliant idea:  let's flush the poison out so it doesn't keep killing. He keeps people over-hydrated, so most of the amanitin is flushed out the kidneys, and gives them silibinin (or silymarin, the more crude extract of the milk thistle) that binds up the amanitin and keeps it from circulating. Unfortunately silymarin is not approved for use in the United States by the FDA. Todd MItchell heads a critical trial on the use of silibinin in the US which has become known as the Santa Cruz Protocol. Unfortunately this protocol is still a  not available for dogs. Hopefully soon the FDA and the veterinary world will approve it for use.

If you see DeathCaps growing in your area:

• Pick them, bag them and throw them out.

• Go to "Death Cap Poster" in this blog's menu bar.l Print out the poster and put them up where you've seen the mushrooms growing. More might come up.

• Call your local news stations and newspapers. Ask them to do a story on Death Caps warning the public.

• Take posters to your vets office and ask them to post them at their front desk.  

REMEMBER: If you suspect your dog or child has eaten a DeathCap Mushroom

the first 24 hours are critical...

it can be the difference between life and death.

PICK MUSHROOMS, 

BAG THEM AND THROW THEM OUT...

AND DON'T LET YOUR DOG SEE YOU DIGGING THEM UP, 

FOR IT WILL ONLY PEAK THEIR INTEREST.

  IT IS MY HOPE

THAT LITTLE DONATO, BRUTUS, OTTO , COSBY, BELLA & TRUFFLES,

AND LITTLE DIXIE

WILL CARRY THIS MESSAGE 

AROUND THE WORLD

AND KEEP ALL OF OUR PUPS AND DOGS SAFE

 

On the East Coast 

             and the West Coast

Death Caps are Killing Dogs

It's with heavy heart that I post some recent stories that have been in the news.

On March 26, 2018 - In Wake County, North Carolina, Janna Joyner came home to find two of her dogs, Drago, a Saint Bernard and Adoni, a lab mix dead in her backyard.  Blood tests showed Amatoxin in their system, the deadly poison of the Death Cap Mushrooms

http://www.wfsb.com/story/37809388/dogs-found-dead-after-eating-poisonous-mushrooms-in-owners-yard

And then on May 4, 2018 - In Santa Barbara, CA, Teslin Lemaster had to euthanize her chocolate lab, Cruz.  He had gotten into some mushrooms on a walk in the Douglas Family Preserve Park. Unfortunately, they were Death Cap Mushrooms.

http://www.keyt.com/lifestyle/pets/pet-owners-warned-of-poisonous-mushroom-at-a-santa-barbara-park-after-dog-dies/738403373

Both Janna and Teslin now belong to a club no one wants to be member of...those who have lost a loved one to a Death Cap. Now, they too are trying educate other pet owners of this danger so it does not happen to anyone else.
 

Many of us are alert during the rainy season for mushrooms in our yards, but spring and summer it's easy to think that mushrooms won't grow now. Please remember, I lost my dear Donato in the heat of August. If you water trees or lawn...mushrooms can grow. Death Caps can grow.

  

A Simple explanation of how the Death Cap kills.

 

Amanitin enters the body through the mouth, is absorbed in the stomach and small intestine, and is transported directly to the liver, where it kills a bunch of cells.  Some of it is flushed into the kidney, where it kills a bunch of cells and is pissed out of the body.  Some is taken up into the gall bladder, where it gets dumped into the bile, which is released.  That amanitin is again absorbed by the intestine, and goes through the same cycle.  That's why it takes a few days for amanitin to kill the liver and kidney.  It's the repeat exposure that kills.

Dr. Todd Mitchell came up with a brilliant idea:  let's flush the poison out so it doesn't keep killing. He keeps people over-hydrated, so most of the amanitin is flushed out the kidneys, and gives them silibinin (or silymarin, the more crude extract of the milk thistle) that binds up the amanitin and keeps it from circulating. Unfortunately silymarin is not approved for use in the United States by the FDA. Todd MItchell heads a critical trial on the use of silibinin in the US which has become known as the Santa Cruz Protocol. Unfortunately this protocol is still a  not available for dogs. Hopefully soon the FDA and the veterinary world will approve it for use.

BELOW IS A GREAT ARTICLE ABOUT TREATMENT TO SHARE WITH YOUR VET

http://pacificvets.jbrmarketing.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/pacifictide-2012-06.pdf

REMEMBER: IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR DOG OR CHILD 

HAS EATEN A DEATHCAP MUSHROOM

THE FIRST 24 HOURS ARE CRITICAL...

IT CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.

PICK MUSHROOMS, 

BAG THEM AND THROW THEM OUT...

AND DON'T LET YOUR DOG SEE YOU DIGGING THEM UP, 

FOR IT WILL ONLY PEAK THEIR INTEREST.

  IT IS MY HOPE

THAT LITTLE DONATO, BRUTUS, OTTO , COSBY, BELLA & TRUFFLES,

LITTLE DIXIE, DRAGO, ADONI AND CRUZ

WILL CARRY THIS MESSAGE 

AROUND THE WORLD

AND KEEP ALL OF OUR PUPS AND DOGS SAFE

 

Massive Death Cap Bloom 

in San Francisco Bay Area

UPDATE JUNE 1, 2017

DEATH CAP MUSHROOMS SICKEN 14 IN CALIFORNIA

During the first two weeks in December 2016, the California Poison Control System received reports of 14 people including an 18-month-old infant had to be hospitalized after consuming wild death cap mushrooms, known as Amanita phalloides.

https://www.livescience.com/59339-death-cap-mushrooms-poisonings-california.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

These Death Caps were found in Menlo Park, Ca in the woods by Alpine Road. I know people who picked five grocery bags of Death Caps today in Woodside California trying to make their property safe. 

Please be careful if you go hiking in parks. Personally I would not let a dog run free right now. The Death Caps have a sweet scent that is attractive to our pups.  After the mushrooms start to decay they smell like dead fish and are even more enticing.

There is more information on this site and posters which can be printed and shared with your friends. Please share this blog and get the word out....

                                                

They're called Death Caps 

for a 

reason....

Here  is a great article about treatment to share with your vet.

http://pacificvets.jbrmarketing.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/pacifictide-2012-06.pdf

REMEMBER: IF YOU SUSPECT YOUR DOG OR CHILD HAS EATEN A DEATHCAP MUSHROOM

THE FIRST 24 HOURS ARE CRITICAL...

IT CAN BE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH.

PICK MUSHROOMS, 

BAG THEM AND THROW THEM OUT...

AND DON'T LET YOUR DOG SEE YOU DIGGING THEM UP, 

FOR IT WILL ONLY PEAK THEIR INTEREST.

  IT IS MY HOPE

THAT LITTLE DONATO, BRUTUS, OTTO , COSBY, BELLA & TRUFFLES,

AND LITTLE DIXIE

WILL CARRY THIS MESSAGE 

AROUND THE WORLD

AND KEEP ALL OF OUR PUPS AND DOGS SAFE

THREE YEAR OLD BOY DIES 

AFTER EATING

DEATH CAP MUSHROOM 

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/death-cap-mushroom-victoria-boy-poisoned-1.3802245

http://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/3-year-old-boy-dies-after-eating-death-cap-mushroom-1.3112530

My heart goes out to the parents of this boy. I can't imagine their pain. Since July, newspapers in Vancouver were trying to spread the word...but it wasn't enough.

Please be careful out there. Make it a point to tell your friends and neighbors of this deadly danger....especially if they forage for wild mushrooms.

If you see DeathCaps growing in your area:

• Pick them, bag them and throw them out.

• Go to "Death Cap Poster" in this blog's menu bar.l Print out the poster and put them up where you've seen the mushrooms growing. More might come up.

• Call your local news stations and newspapers. Ask them to do a story on Death Caps warning the public.

• Take posters to your vets office and ask them to post them at their front desk.  

REMEMBER: If you suspect your dog or child has eaten a DeathCap Mushroom

the first 24 hours are critical...

it can be the difference between life and death.

PICK MUSHROOMS, 

BAG THEM AND THROW THEM OUT...

AND DON'T LET YOUR DOG SEE YOU DIGGING THEM UP, 

FOR IT WILL ONLY PEAK THEIR INTEREST.

  IT IS MY HOPE

THAT LITTLE DONATO, BRUTUS, OTTO , COSBY, BELLA & TRUFFLES,

AND LITTLE DIXIE

WILL CARRY THIS MESSAGE 

AROUND THE WORLD

AND KEEP ALL OF OUR PUPS AND DOGS SAFE

Sweet Dixie
Died from Mushroom Toxicity
Menlo Park, CA

Let the Warning go out Near and Far !!!

It pains me to say, I just learned of Sweet Little Dixie, who lost her life to Mushroom Toxicity last October...and she lived in my very own neighborhood.  My heart goes out to her owners who loved her dearly and are now part of a very sad club. 

Alerts also arrived for those up on Vancouver Island. "First spotted in Vancouver in 2008, the death cap is currently spreading throughout Vancouver and has been found on Vancouver Island and the Fraser Valley as well." My friends...please heed the warning!

www.cantechletter.com/2016/09/beware-death-cap-mushroom-warn-bc-authorities/

To top of the week... last night on a stroll thru Stanford Campus, but two feet from the sidewalk where everyone walks were three Death Caps. It's September...it's dry....and there they were. It has been my mission to spread the word and though I keep trying there's more work to be done.

I NEED YOUR HELP

KNOW WHAT A DEATH CAP LOOKS LIKE

AND TELL YOUR FRIENDS!

Again, this is a great article about treatment to share with your vet.

http://pacificvets.jbrmarketing.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/pacifictide-2012-06.pdf

REMEMBER: If you suspect your dog has eaten a DeathCap Mushroom

the first 24 hours are critical...

it can be the difference between life and death.

Pick mushrooms, 

Bag them and Throw them out...

And DON'T let your dog see you digging them up, 

for it will only peak their interest.

  IT IS MY HOPE

THAT LITTLE DONATO, BRUTUS, OTTO , COSBY, BELLA & TRUFFLES,

AND Little DIXIE

WILL CARRY THIS MESSAGE 

AROUND THE WORLD

AND KEEP ALL OF OUR PUPS AND DOGS SAFE

Once again the warning goes out. 

One would think with the Dog Days of Summer upon us that we needn't worry about DeathCap Mushrooms...but it's just not the case. 

 I just read this post from the Napa Valley Register. 

" CALISTOGA -- Wine Country Animal Lovers is notifying pet owners that in the last month, two dogs have been treated at the Calistoga Pet Clinic after ingesting the toxic and deadly death cap mushroom." 

(http://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/death-cap-mushrooms-poisoned-dogs-in-calistoga/article_38087a98-bb2c-5479-add5-023befba7321.html)

Please be careful out there. Though the temperature is up, remember people are still watering their lawns and gardens underneath oak trees....the favorite habitat for Death Caps.  

It was on a hot summer day in mid-August that I lost my sweet boy Donato to a DeathCap mushroom growing in Carmel Valley. 

I'm posting this again... it's a great article about treatment to share with your vet.

http://pacificvets.jbrmarketing.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/pacifictide-2012-06.pdf

REMEMBER: If you suspect your dog has eaten a DeathCap Mushroom

the first 24 hours are critical...

it can be the difference between life and death.

Pick mushrooms, 

Bag them and Throw them out...

And DON'T let your dog see you digging them up, 

for it will only peak his interests.

  IT IS MY HOPE

THAT LITTLE DONATO, BRUTUS, OTTO , COSBY, BELLA & TRUFFLES,

WILL CARRY THIS MESSAGE 

AROUND THE WORLD

AND KEEP ALL OF OUR PUPS AND DOGS SAFE