Dogs may be just as curious as cats are. When they spy a small hopping toad, they are likely to investigate by sniffing or tasting. While most toads are relatively harmless, two common toad species found in the United States can pose a great danger to dogs. According to Dr. Bari Spielman of petplace.com, the poison from these toads is highly toxic to pets and often causes death if left untreated.
Symptoms of Toad Toxicity
Some types of toads secrete a substance that can cause oral irritation but is not toxic. Dogs will likely salivate or foam at the mouth after tasting any toad. However, symptoms of toad toxicity may include:
- Foaming at the mouth and oral irritation
- Head shaking
- Bright red gums
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Confusion
- In-coordination
- Respiratory distress
- Diarrhea
- Fever
- Seizures
- Collapse
- Abnormal heart rhythms
Diagnosis and Treatment
If a dog shows evidence of having eaten a toad or has been seen licking a toad, the immediate thing to do is prevent more toxins being absorbed by thoroughly wiping out the dog’s mouth with a wet cloth or thoroughly rinsing the dog’s mouth from the side with a water hose, making sure water does not go down the throat or nose. Then get the dog to a veterinarian as quickly as possible so that supportive measures can be administered. Untreated toad poisoning can be deadly.
There is no test to detect the toad toxin but symptoms and an EKG showing abnormal heart rhythms help the veterinarian diagnose toad poisoning. There is no specific treatment for the venom, but supportive measures can save the dog’s life. The pet may be hospitalized with intravenous fluids, medication to stabilize abnormal heart rhythms, and treatment for fever, stress, and pain.
Most Common Poisonous Toads in the US
The Colorado River toad which can be found near water in the southwestern US and the Giant toad, sometimes called the Marine toad or Cane toad, found in south Texas and Florida are two of the most common venomous toads in the United States. When these toads feel threatened, they secrete a poisonous substance from glands on the head and shoulders. Rarely, one of these toads can secrete its venom in a pet’s drinking water causing illness in the pet.
Southern toads are sometimes confused with Giant toads, but the substance secreted by the Southern toad is not toxic, though it can irritate a pet’s mouth. Both are greenish brown in color but the Giant toad is slightly larger and does not have the knobby ridges on its head as the Southern toad does. The University of Florida offers tips on telling the difference between these two species.
Sources:
PetPlace.com
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