Toad Toxicity
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Toads are a common pest in our suburban back yards.
Each year many pets are poisoned as they grab or bite the deadly toad. Dogs are more commonly poisoned than cats.
Cane Toads were introduced to Australia by the Queensland Department of Agriculture in 1935 as a non-chemical method of controlling the cane beetle. Unfortunately things didn’t go to plan as the Cane Toad has no natural enemies in Australia.
When threatened, the toad will secrete a milky white sticky toxin from the glands behind their eyes. It has been reported that they can even squirt this poison a distance of up to 2 metres.
Your pet will be poisoned when the toxin enters and contacts the mucous membranes in their mouth and sometimes their eyes.
“Keelback snakes are not susceptible to the venom, and crows and water rats have learnt to turn the toad over and eat only the nonpoisonous internal organs”. www.Southsidevet.com.au
Australian Terriers and Fox terriers are the dog breeds most commonly treated for toad toxicity. Closely followed by Border Collies, Australian Cattle Dogs and Kelpies. However ALL breeds are at risk.
Signs your pet has been poisoned by a toad..
What to do when you suspect your pet is poisoned.
If you see your pet with a toad, or suspect that they may have been poisoned, First Aid is what will save their life.
Once at the veterinary clinic, your pet may require observation (heart & respiratory rates, temperature, blood pressure, mentation), and possibly further intensive treatment including intravenous fluids, medications to control seizures, oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, ECG monitoring for cardiac arrhythmias.
Your pet will not be able to return home until all vital signs have returned to normal and prove stable. Once home you should keep your pet calm and restricted for a minimum of 24 hours or as directed by your vet.
Once a pet has had toad toxicity, despite the unpleasant effects, they often become serial toad toxicity patients.
Preventing Toad Toxicity
Toads are generally only active at night. Keep your pets inside at night, and take outside only ON LEAD to toilet after dark.
Train your dog a reliable “Leave” cue.
Control the toad population in your yard. Attach wire mesh around your fence, this should be 6mm x 6mm mesh and extend 10cm under the ground and 40cm (minimum) above ground.
Remove any fresh standing water and cover fish ponds (with mesh), clam shell pools (with lid).
Keep outside lights off – as the light will attract moths and insects, which in turn will attract toads.
References
Day, C., 2014. Articles and Pet Stories Written by Professional Vets. [online] Southsidevet.com.au. Available at: <http://www.southsidevet.com.au/PetCareandInformation/ArticlesandPetStories/tabid/26859/Default.aspx?ArticleID=1967> [Accessed 20 Apr. 2014].
Invasion of the Cane Toad. 2014. [online] Canetoadsinoz.com. Available at: <http://www.canetoadsinoz.com/invasion.html> [Accessed 20 Apr. 2014].
Toad Toxicity | Emergency Vet - Animal Emergency Service - Brisbane - Gold Coast. 2014. [online] Animalemergencyservice.com.au. Available at: <http://www.animalemergencyservice.com.au/pet-care/1/27-2-12/toad-toxicity> [Accessed 20 Apr. 2014].
Each year many pets are poisoned as they grab or bite the deadly toad. Dogs are more commonly poisoned than cats.
Cane Toads were introduced to Australia by the Queensland Department of Agriculture in 1935 as a non-chemical method of controlling the cane beetle. Unfortunately things didn’t go to plan as the Cane Toad has no natural enemies in Australia.
When threatened, the toad will secrete a milky white sticky toxin from the glands behind their eyes. It has been reported that they can even squirt this poison a distance of up to 2 metres.
Your pet will be poisoned when the toxin enters and contacts the mucous membranes in their mouth and sometimes their eyes.
“Keelback snakes are not susceptible to the venom, and crows and water rats have learnt to turn the toad over and eat only the nonpoisonous internal organs”. www.Southsidevet.com.au
Australian Terriers and Fox terriers are the dog breeds most commonly treated for toad toxicity. Closely followed by Border Collies, Australian Cattle Dogs and Kelpies. However ALL breeds are at risk.
Signs your pet has been poisoned by a toad..
- Profuse salivation – this occurs due to the irritating nature of the toads toxin)
- Pawing at mouth – the toxin is irritating and corrosive – this is painful for your pet
- Red (brick red) and inflamed gums
- Vomiting (more often in cats)
- Weakness in the back legs
- Dazed stare
- Muscle spasms
- Seizures/convulsions – these are what often causes overheating and kills a pet affected by toad toxicity.
- Cardiac arrest – the toxin is known to affect the heart of dogs and cats.
- Death
What to do when you suspect your pet is poisoned.
If you see your pet with a toad, or suspect that they may have been poisoned, First Aid is what will save their life.
- Immediately wipe your pets gums using a wet rag/cloth
- Rinse the rag/cloth in between wipes.
- Continuing wiping for a minimum of 10-15 minutes
- Do not stop wiping until you cannot feel the “slime” in your pets mouth
- Do not use a hose to direct water into your pets mouth (even sideways).
- Using a hose may accidentally force water into your pets lungs and result in drowning.
- Seek veterinary help as soon as possible
- If your pet is convulsing keep them cool by covering with a wet towel during transit to the veterinary clinic.
Once at the veterinary clinic, your pet may require observation (heart & respiratory rates, temperature, blood pressure, mentation), and possibly further intensive treatment including intravenous fluids, medications to control seizures, oxygen therapy, mechanical ventilation, ECG monitoring for cardiac arrhythmias.
Your pet will not be able to return home until all vital signs have returned to normal and prove stable. Once home you should keep your pet calm and restricted for a minimum of 24 hours or as directed by your vet.
Once a pet has had toad toxicity, despite the unpleasant effects, they often become serial toad toxicity patients.
Preventing Toad Toxicity
Toads are generally only active at night. Keep your pets inside at night, and take outside only ON LEAD to toilet after dark.
Train your dog a reliable “Leave” cue.
Control the toad population in your yard. Attach wire mesh around your fence, this should be 6mm x 6mm mesh and extend 10cm under the ground and 40cm (minimum) above ground.
Remove any fresh standing water and cover fish ponds (with mesh), clam shell pools (with lid).
Keep outside lights off – as the light will attract moths and insects, which in turn will attract toads.
References
Day, C., 2014. Articles and Pet Stories Written by Professional Vets. [online] Southsidevet.com.au. Available at: <http://www.southsidevet.com.au/PetCareandInformation/ArticlesandPetStories/tabid/26859/Default.aspx?ArticleID=1967> [Accessed 20 Apr. 2014].
Invasion of the Cane Toad. 2014. [online] Canetoadsinoz.com. Available at: <http://www.canetoadsinoz.com/invasion.html> [Accessed 20 Apr. 2014].
Toad Toxicity | Emergency Vet - Animal Emergency Service - Brisbane - Gold Coast. 2014. [online] Animalemergencyservice.com.au. Available at: <http://www.animalemergencyservice.com.au/pet-care/1/27-2-12/toad-toxicity> [Accessed 20 Apr. 2014].