WICKENBURG SUN (Arizona) 16 July 08 Rain brings toads, danger for cats and dogs
The toads are back.
The Colorado River toad climbs out of the mud during the Arizona monsoon season. These toads can be heard croaking everywhere after a good rain. They love to congregate under porch lights to catch bugs and scare the heck out of unsuspecting humans who nearly step on them.
The concern with these toads is they can cause toad poisoning when a pet tries to play with them. And most dogs simply can’t leave them alone.
If a dog or cat gets its nose too close, licks or bites a toad, poisoning can occur.
Toads have skin glands that secrete toxins, and these toxins do not have to be swallowed for their effects to begin. A pet may also suffer if a toad sits in the dog’s drinking water for a long enough period. There have even been rare cases where giant toads have just sat on the rim of a dog’s water dish and left enough toxins to make the dog sick.
These toxins are very easily absorbed through the pet’s mouth linings. Dogs typically show signs of mouth irritation, excessive drooling and abnormal breathing. Affected animals may also develop heart arrhythmias, seizures, weakness and collapse. Sever toxicities can quickly lead to death if not treated.
If a pet is seen playing with a toad, or toad poisoning is suspected, wash the pet’s mouth thoroughly with water. Use a hose to flush out the mouth, controlling the flow so it washes sideways, not down the throat, for 5 to 10 minutes. This will prevent further absorption of the toxin. Then call the veterinarian.
Rain brings toads, danger for cats and dogs