Toad Venom Toxicosis in Cats

Toad venom toxicosis is a rare and potentially life-threatening condition.

Any cat who goes outside and may encounter a toad is at risk, but most common toads are not highly toxic and cats licking or mouthing them experience nothing worse than temporary discomfort and heavy salivation.

While it is uncommon to result in death, cats showing symptoms for more than several minutes should receive emergency care.

Toad venom also affects the cardiovascular system. The heart rate may become abnormally fast, slow, or irregular.

Most toad species, even those considered non-toxic, secrete an irritating substance from their parotid glands. Contact with this substance causes heavy drooling, pawing at the mouth, and head shaking even with harmless toads. These symptoms typically start immediately after contact with the toad and can be very intense, but resolve after several minutes.

Toad venom toxicosis is caused by the ingestion, mouthing, or licking of poisonous toads. Toads have parotid glands positioned on the back of their heads. In moments of stress, the glands excrete an alkaloid poison.

The severity of the toxicosis is dependent on the kind of venomous toad.

Especially toxic species include:

• Rhinella marina: Rhinella marina is considered to be the most toxic species of toad in the United States, where it can be found in Texas, Hawaii, and Florida. In Australia, the Rhinella marina is known as the cane toad.
• Colorado River toad: the colorado river toad (Incillus alvarius) is highly toxic. It is commonly found in the Southwestern United States and Mexico.

Exposure to other species of toads generally causes less severe symptoms in adult cats. The most frequent species of toad encountered is the common toad (Bufo vulgaris).

Ingestion of the toad causes significantly more damage than just licking or mouthing it.

There is no specific diagnostic test for toad venom toxicosis. If ingestion, licking or mouthing is witnessed, the diagnosis is self-evident.

Cats presenting symptoms of toad toxicosis generally undergo the following diagnostics:

• Blood tests
• Electrocardiography
• Diagnostic imaging
• Physical examination

Blood tests and electrocardiography are generally done to establish overall health of the cat and to eliminate other potential causes of symptoms.

There is no antidote for toad poisoning. Treatment is primarily focused on decontamination and supportive care.

Treatment options include:

• Oral flushing
• IV fluid therapy
• Supplemental oxygen
• Anti-seizure medication
• Anti-arrhythmics
• Cooling therapy

Prognosis is dependent on the species of toad and the rapidity of treatment. Prompt decontamination and supportive care increase the probability of a positive outcome.

Adult cats diagnosed with toad venom toxicosis generally carry a good prognosis. Kittens, adult cats that ingest a large dose of toxin, as well as animals with underlying conditions, carry a guarded prognosis.

With medical attention, the animal is generally able to recover within 12 hours of treatment.

Toad venom toxicosis is not contagious. It is prevented by avoiding contact with toads.

Strategies include:

• Inspection of areas where toads are likely to be found
• Paying particular attention to animal’s while outdoors

Keeping outdoor water bowls covered and out of reach of toads. Water can become contaminated with bufotoxin when toads soak in it.

Toad venom toxicosis is an uncommon condition in cats.

Cats living in tropical regions are at a higher risk of severe toxicosis.

Cats living in Hawaii, Texas, and Florida are at higher risk of exotic toad poisoning than cats living in other US states.

Outdoor cats and those prone to hunting are more likely to enter into contact with toads.

• Oral flushing
• IV fluid therapy
• Supplemental oxygen
• Anti-seizure medication