We commonly use the words "Frog Poisoning" but in fact the poisoning is caused by a toad. Toads have rough skin with glands that secrete the poison. Typically, dogs and cats are exposed to the poison when they bite or lick the toad out of curiosity and the toad secretes the venom in fear as a defence mechanism. However, the poison may also be absorbed to a lesser extent through damaged skin. Dogs and cats may even ingest the poison from their food after a toad goes into their food bowl.
The poison acts quickly as it is absorbed through the mouth directly. It causes head shaking, excessive drooling or frothing at the mouth, vocalizations, pawing at the mouth, retching or vomiting. The mucus membranes may become red. In severe cases, heart rhythm disorders occur, apparent blindness, seizures, collapse, and death within as little as 15 minutes!
To help prevent death, immediate action is needed!! Carefully wash the inside of the animal's mouth with large amounts of slow flowing water, such as from a hose, continuously for as long as 5-10 minutes.
Give your pet plenty of water to drink and call your vet immediately!! Depending on the severity of the case, your vet may want to keep your pet hospitalized on IV fluids. Other symptoms are treated as needed, such as the seizures and heart-related effects.
Once your pet has survived, as always, prevention is better than cure. Try to keep toads out of your yard so that your pets will not have access to them. Toads like dark, damp places, so remove any old pots, water containers or ground-level bird baths. Ensure the spaces in your fence are too small to allow them to enter. Remove your pets' food bowls after feeding. Ensure that water in your yard does not stand still so that toads will not find it attractive to habitat, for e.g., use a fountain or keep fishes in ponds.
Be on extra alert for toads during the rainy season!
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