Frogs are different than toads, Toads are the ones you have to watch out for.
Young dogs-those less than 18 months old, in particular-seem fascinated by toads, and they often try to pick them up. All toads secrete mucus through the skin that's noxious and causes strings of saliva to spill from a dog's mouth, but the Colorado River toad, and the marine toad can kill. Catching any toad in his mouth can cause a pet to salivate and paw his mouth. But poisonous toads produce many substances that are absorbed through the mouth tissues and affect the heart and nervous system. A poisioned pet develops seizures, collapses, and can die within 30 minutes. See the veterinarian immediately if you live in or travel to places where there are poisonous toads and your pet licks or mouths a toad.
When you see your dog mouth a toad, don't wait for him to start to drool. Immediately rinse his mouth out to get rid of the nasty taste of nonpoisionus toads, and reduce the toxicity of deadly ones. Use the garden hose or sprayer from the sink and run water into his mouth for at least 3 minutes. A squirt gun or plant sprayer also works, but you will need to continue for longer.
Toad poisoning is a medical emergency. Don't fool around if its a poisonous toad--once you've rinsed your pet's mouth, get him to the veterinarian immediately. |