It seems that there are always kangaeru in our garden! Here in Queensland, cane toads can be seen most of the year, except for about two months in the middle of winter. It’s definitely worse after rain and during the summer months, but be prepared to avoid toads if you’re walking outside in general after dark. Cane toads are not only a nuisance to us (and disgusting to me), they are a potential hazard that can cause fatal poisoning for our pets.
Why are cane toads poisonous?
These rather unattractive amphibians are a common cause of poisoning in dogs and cats. When threatened, toads exude a milky venom from glands on their skin. If a dog or cat licks, bites, or eats a cane toad, the poison can make them sick. This poison usually has hallucinogenic effects in dogs and can lead to death in dogs.
Symptoms of cane toad poisoning
Symptoms of cane toad poisoning depend on the amount of poison ingested. It also depends on the size of the animal, smaller animals are less affected by the poison. Signs of cane toad poisoning include:
mild poisoning
– Excessive salivation, drooling, foaming mouth
– Red, slimy gums
– rub your mouth
– vomiting
severe poisoning
– muscle spasms
– seizure
– Increased or rapid increase in heart rate
– death
What to do if cane toad poisoning occurs
So what should you do if you notice these symptoms or suspect your pet has cane toad poisoning? You should always contact your veterinarian first to discuss the symptoms and seek advice. If your animal is only showing mild symptoms or appears with a cane toad, there are some first aid measures you can take to prevent serious poisoning.
first aid procedures
– Rinse your dog’s mouth thoroughly to remove venom. To do this, hold your dog’s mouth tilted down and first wipe its mouth and tongue with a paper towel. Using a hose or tap, rinse mouth thoroughly with slow water for at least 10 minutes. Allow the water to rest on the teeth, gums, and tongue, but keep the animal’s mouth tilted downwards so that the water does not flow into the lungs.
– Then use a damp cloth to gently wipe your mouth, teeth, gums and palate. Continue this process for 5-10 minutes, rinsing the cloth after each wipe.
If your pet is calm and shows no signs of poisoning, keep it away from the toad and watch closely for developing symptoms. These first aid measures, if taken promptly, are often sufficient to prevent severe poisoning. If your pet’s condition continues to deteriorate or you see signs of severe poisoning, you should urgently take him to a veterinarian as the situation can quickly become life-threatening.
Severe cases of cane toad poisoning require veterinary supervision. Treatment with intravenous fluids, antiseizure medications, and oxygen therapy may be required. Blood tests may be done to determine if there is organ damage. Cane toad poisoned dogs are closely monitored until symptoms abate.
How to Prevent Cane Toad Poisoning
If talking to your pet or explaining the dangers of playing with a cane toad is difficult to understand, there are a few things you can try. Training your dog to stay away from toads is a good start. This can be accomplished by taking the toads out on a leash at night and teaching them to avoid or ignore them using reward-based training methods. This training takes time to penetrate and must be repeated regularly (initially daily) to be effective. Training doesn’t work for all dogs, and you can’t be with them all night, so no one knows what they’re doing. Therefore, the best way to prevent cane toad poisoning is to keep your dog indoors at night. The best precaution is to bring the toads in just before dark when they are most active.
Why does my dog like cane toads?
Some dogs love toads. Perhaps they are very curious and enjoy watching them hop. Other dogs just like to eat or try to eat anything. But there is also another possibility. Years ago I read an article about some dogs being addicted to a “high”, the effects of cane toad venom on dogs. The cane toad’s venom can cause hallucinations in dogs, and some dogs love that sensation. These dogs are euphoric and may try to lick the cane toad over and over again. If you have a dog who loves cane toads, the best thing to do is to keep them out of reach.
If you want to learn more about cane toads and how they affect your dog, myPET Podcast – Cane Toad; Poisonous, Deadly, Addictive. Dr. Glenn and I discuss why cane toads are so dangerous to pets, especially dogs. It also explains the first aid steps to take and when to determine that serious poisoning has occurred and urgent veterinary attention is required.
If you have any concerns or questions about your pet’s health or cane toad poisoning, please consult your veterinarian.
Until next time,
Beck