My greyhound dog ate a toad and got so sick I had to take him to the Emergency Vet. Clinic.?

Question

Has anyone had this happen to their dog? What is the active compontent in toad venom? What does it do to a dog? I have heard that it has halluenagenic properties and that it can cause death. Is this true? No one seems to know for sure.

Answer 1

Since all toads have a bad taste, dogs who mouth them slobber, spit and drool. In southern states a tropical toad (Bujo marinus) secretes a potent toxin that appears to affect the heart and circulation of dogs, bringing on death in as short a time as fifteen minutes. There are twelve species of Rufo toads worldwide.

Symptoms in dogs depend upon the toxicity of the toad and the amount of poison absorbed. Signs vary from merely slobbering to convulsions and death.> http://www.doctordog.com/dogbook/dogpoison.html

And this article just calls it a 'defensive secretion'> http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/UW046
this one is a little more techncal,and gives it a better description> There are several types of toxic substances found in toads, including cardioactive agents, catecholamines, indolealkylamines and non-cardiac sterols. These toxins are located in the skin and parotid glands and may be transferred by handling or ingesting a toad's skin.
0.2.3 HEENT
A. Secretions of the toad parotid glands will cause pain and severe irritation when placed in eyes, nose, and throat.
0.2.4 CARDIOVASCULAR
A. Dogs who have been poisoned with bufagins develop ventricular fibrillation and symptoms resembling digitalis poisoning. Vasoconstriction may also be seen.
0.2.5 RESPIRATORY
A. Dyspnea and weakened respirations may be seen.> http://www.erowid.org/animals/toads/toads_health1.shtml

Answer 2

That depends on the species of toad and how much venom your dog got in it's mouth.

Cane Toads (not native to the US) infest some of the southern states. Their venom can kill a dog.

GHs have little body fat, so some things affect them differently. I really hope your dog is ok.

If I was the vet I'd support the dog and treat symptoms and contact poison control.

http://www.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0104-79302000000100003&lng=pt&nrm=iso

http://www.amonline.net.au/herpetology/faq/cane_toad.htm

Answer 3

I know here in florida we have poisonous toads and they secrete a venom through their skin and it can kill a dog or a cat or anything else that catches them in their mouth . so yes it is true . i think maybe if you got the dog to the vet quick enough it will be alright .

Answer 4

some toads are toxic...it's not venom, it's a secretion of their skin...it's to keep things from eating them, it's their defence. I guess your dog didn't get it...so he got sick...he'll be Ok.
I've had dogs that would mouth toads and then throw up, they were fine..(dogs are goofy sometimes about eating things...I had a dog that would pick up rocks and try to eat them...he also ate, potatoes, ice, lettuce, carrots, out of the garbage, so you always had to watch him while cooking...)

Answer 5

In Australia we have cane toads...they are poisonous! They aren't where i live...fortunately!! But other dog owners in other states have told me when their dog gets one even just holding it in its mouth they grab the hose and flush their mouth out with water.

Hope this helps and hope your dog is ok

Answer 6

Toads are covered with lots of lovely bacteria like salmonella, just to name one. I'm surprised your dog ate it - I hear they taste really bad.