How overnight mould changes everything
Those few pistachios weren't just stale — the warm, humid night allowed invisible mould colonies to flourish. Your 12 kg dog ate concentrated mycotoxins that attack the nervous system differently than standard food poisoning. Tremors might start as subtle ear twitches or progress to full-body shakes within 12 hours.
The bowl's environment matters too. If condensation formed overnight, the shells became softer and more likely to splinter when chewed. Check your dog's gums for tiny cuts if they paw at their mouth later. Mould also makes the kernels swell — what looked like "a few" could have been more volume than you estimated.
Neurological signs that escalate fast
First signs often mimic drunkenness — slight imbalance when turning, or misjudging jumps onto furniture. These appear before vomiting because mycotoxins hit the brainstem directly. Time matters intensely now; note exactly when you first see any wobbliness.
Unlike standard diarrhea cases, the danger here is seizures, not dehydration. If your dog starts "fly biting" at invisible objects or can't settle, their nervous system is under active attack. Keep lights dim and noise low to reduce sensory stress on their compromised brain function.
The hidden risk of half-chewed shells
Mould softens shell structure, creating bendable but still sharp fragments. These can wedge between teeth or stick to the stomach lining. Your dog may swallow repeatedly or stretch their neck oddly if a piece is lodged — don't mistake this for nausea.
In the next 24 hours, inspect every stool carefully. Mould toxins don't change stool appearance, but shell fragments will look like jagged beige pieces. Missing pieces mean they're either still inside or caused internal punctures you can't see.
Why weight changes the danger level
At 12 kg, your dog has less body mass to dilute the toxins than a larger breed would. What might cause mild tremors in a 30 kg dog could trigger full seizures here. Their smaller stomach also concentrates the irritants — expect vomiting to start suddenly rather than build gradually.
If they vomit more than twice in an hour or produce frothy bile, the mould toxins are provoking intense stomach spasms. Don't wait for neurological signs at this point — the violent vomiting itself becomes dangerous for small-to-medium dogs.
The full verdict, portion guidance and serving notes are collected on the Pistachios food facts page.