Cane toads and dogs do no make good playmates! Dogs love to investigate anything that moves and cane toads are no exception. Toads are everywhere and can pose a health hazard to an unwary dog who may happen upon one. In fact, in a game of toad-catching by the dog, it’s usually the toad 1 and dog 0, which leaves the dog shaking his head and foaming at the mouth.
Australia has some of the world’s most poisonous animals and one that poses a threat to our pets is the Cane Toad. They are most prevalent in the warmer months although in tropical north Queensland, they are present all the year around. So far we don’t believe they are in Victoria but have reportedly been seen across the border into NSW. Cane toad poisoning in cats are rare, as they seem to be more aware of the risks, but cane toad poisoning in dogs is very common, especially in puppies and terrier breeds as they find the movement of toads intriguing and often irresistible.
Toads are found in wet places like backyards during and after a rain and around ponds. Other than an irritating bad taste in a dog’s mouth, most toads are not toxic enough to cause great harm to your dog. Since toads are nocturnal, it’s important to be vigilant when your dog is outside at night for his walk or run before bed, especially during or after a rain.
In order for a dog to be poisoned by a toad, he has to actually pick it up in his mouth, bite it or lick it. Cane Toads can crawl into a dog’s food bowl that is sitting outside to eat the dog’s food. In rare cases, they can leave enough residual to poison the dog when he then eats from that bowl or even licks the side where the toad was perched.
The first obvious sign your dog caught a toad is profuse salivation, drooling or frothing from the mouth. He may indicate his mouth is irritated by pawing at his mouth and shaking his head. A dog and toad encounter can leave the dog with mouth pain. Check his gums for inflammation or redness if he appears to be having pain in his mouth. If you suspect your dog caught a toad, you can flush his mouth with water from a garden hose. Try not to let the water run down his nose or throat by rinsing from the side of his mouth and holding his head down so the water runs out of his mouth. Gently rub the gums and inside of his mouth until the slimy feeling is gone.
Vomiting, weakness, appearing confused or disoriented, fever, laboured breathing, seizures or diarrhoea are signs your dog has been poisoned by a toad. Immediate medical treatment is required at this point. There is currently no series of tests a vet can run to determine if your dog has toad poisoning. Their best clue comes from an astute dog owner who either saw the encounter or recognised the signs, and by an abnormal heart rate found after an EKG. A hospitalised stay may be required that would include IV fluids, medication for pain, seizures, fever and stress as well as treating and controlling the dog’s abnormal heartbeat.
Both dogs and toads wander around in our yards. It’s impossible for most dog owners to watch their dogs constantly. Even on walks, with you by their side, your dog can find a toad hiding in a clump of grass they are investigating. Knowing the signs of toad poisoning and what to do is your best defence in protecting your dog. Our pets don’t always know what’s good for them. Most toad encounters result in only a bad taste in your dog’s mouth, but sometimes, the toad was the wrong one to mess with.
But we recommend calling your Vet to ensure that your dog has the best medical treatment.