Cane Toad Poisoning: How to know if your pet is poisoned

What are Cane Toads

The cane toad in Australia is an invasive species, they were introduced to north Queensland in 1935 to deal with the sugar cane beetle. These toads are poisonous throughout all stages of their life. It poses a great threat to native wildfire and pets, with thousands of dogs poisoning cases occurring each year.

The toxics are quickly excreted through the glands around the neck area when felt threatened, and the toxins are hallucinogenic.

Cane toad poisoning seems to be more prevalent in dogs, with poisoned cats being rare. Dogs often bite or lick cane toads, which causes the toxins to be quickly absorbed through their mouth. The severity of the symptoms depends on the amount of toxin the dog is exposed to, with some rare cases causing death in 10 – 15 minutes after the initial exposure.

 

The symptoms of cane toad poisoning in dogs:

• Frothing and/or drooling from the mouth
• Can cause pets to become dazed and confused
• Red gums
• Vomiting or gaging
• Muscle spasms and/or tremors
• Increased heart rate
• Seizures
• And/or Death

Although cane toads in most cases have a mild effect on dogs, there still is a possibility to cause death. In rare cases, the time of death can occur in as little as 10 to 15 minutes.

The symptoms of cane toad poisoning in cats:

The symptoms in cats are largely similar to dogs with two unique symptoms present.

• Drooling from the mouth
• Confusion
• Red or slimy gums
• Vomiting or gaging
• Muscle spasms and/or tremors
• Increased heart rate or spasms
• Seizures
• And/or Death

With the two unique symptoms being:

• The weakness of the limbs
• A trance-like stare

Where are cane toads found?

Currently, the cane toad population in Australia has grown to an estimated 200 million, initially introduced 2,400 toads released in 1935. The toad population spans across Queensland, the Northern Territory, Western Australia and in some parts of New South Wales.

The toads usually come out at night, as they are usually thought to be nocturnal. During the day they hide in cool areas such as in shrubs, but more often they make use of any hole they can crawl into. It is important to keep rubbish and other debris clear so cane toads cannot shelter under it. Common spots the cane toad can be found are under boxes, metal or wooden fences, and in open drain pipes.

Visit the www.environment.gov.au to see where the cane toads are located.

 

How to treat cane toad poisoning

You can use a wet cloth to gently rub through your pets’ mouth, wiping all surface areas that could have made contact with the toad. Avoid using a hose to wash down your pets’ mouth, as it could cause water to enter their lungs.

 

It is best practice to call a vet and advise them of Cane toad poisoning, they will then advise you whether you should bring your pet in. Monitoring your pet will be necessary and if symptoms worsen such as tremors or disorientation, you should immediately contact your local vet.

Conclusion

As the population of cane toads continue to rise, cane toad poisoning will become more common. It is important to know the risk factors and symptoms of cane toad poisoning, as it could be the difference between life and death to your pet. The best way to prevent poisoning is to make sure your cat or dog is inside at night.

 

At My OwnVet, we are more than ready to have help your dog through any issues and prevent more problems. Call our office at 07 3277 6594 or use our online booking to schedule your pet’s next check-up!

Until next time,

Your friend and vet expert,

MyOwnVet