Toad Venom Toxicosis in Dogs
Key takeaways
Toad venom toxicosis (bufotoxicosis) in dogs is poisoning that occurs through contact with certain species of toads of the Bufonidae family.
- Immediate symptoms in dogs who lick or ingest toads are severe drooling, head tilting, and pawing at the mouth
- Symptoms may progress to gastrointestinal, cardiac, or neurologic signs
- Severe illness and death are usually seen only with exposure to larger toads, such as Bufo marinus and Bufo alvarius
- Dangerous toads are commonly found in tropical areas of North America
- Diagnosis is usually based on a history of exposure and clinical signs alone
- Other tests, such as electrocardiogram, urinalysis, blood work, and diagnostic imaging, are mainly used to evaluate the status of the patient and exclude other conditions
- There is no known antidote for bufotoxicosis, so treatment focuses on decontamination and supportive therapy
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A closer look: Toad Venom Toxicosis in Dogs
Particularly dangerous toads can be found in North America in tropical areas such as Florida, Hawaii, Texas, Louisiana, New Mexico, California, and Arizona.
Bufotoxicosis is extremely dangerous and life-threatening and must be considered an emergency.
Nontoxic toads also secrete irritating substances. Dogs’ licking, chewing, or biting any toad can lead to severe drooling, head-shaking, and pawing at the mouth. With nontoxic toads, these symptoms usually fade within an hour.
Risk factors
Bufotoxicosis begins with symptoms of drooling, head shaking, and pawing at the mouth. As the toxicosis progresses and spreads through the body, other clinical signs might appear.
Possible causes
The cause of bufotoxicosis is exposure to the toads’ toxin, bufotoxin. This usually happens through licking, chewing, or biting a live toad, but it can also happen through contact with toxins left behind by a toad (e.g., a toad sitting in a water bowl can leave enough traces of the toxin to cause toxicosis).
Contact with toads is particularly likely during the toads’ breeding season, which in North America is from March to September. Exposure is also more likely at particular times of the day such as dawn, dusk, or overnight, or after a rainfall.
Main symptoms
The most common symptoms appear almost immediately after exposure.
Testing and diagnosis
Most cases of exposure happen out of sight. Usually, a history of exposure and clinical signs are sufficient for a diagnosis. Other tests are mainly used to fully evaluate the status of the patient and exclude other possible conditions. These include blood work, urinalysis, diagnostic imaging, and ECG.
Steps to Recovery
There is no known antidote for toad venom. Treatment mainly focuses on a decontamination effort (thoroughly flushing the mouth with water) and supportive therapy.
This includes:
- Antinausea medications
- Cardiac medications (such as antiarrhythmics)
- Antiseizure medications
- Cooling therapy for hyperthermia
- Intravenous fluid therapy
- Oxygen support
Affected dogs need 24 hours of hospitalization and continuous ECG monitoring. A reevaluation is usually necessary after 2 or 3 days.
The prognosis varies according to the species of toad the patient came in contact with. B. alvarius poisoning usually responds to treatment in about 30 minutes, and death is uncommon. B. marinus poisoning is usually more severe and more likely to cause death.
Initiating treatment as quickly as possible improves the chances of a good prognosis.
Prevention
Prevention consists of avoiding contact with toads, especially in at-risk areas and during the breeding season.
Keeping dogs on a leash during dusk, dawn, after a rainfall, or overnight, improves the chances of avoiding exposure.
Another possible preventive method is covering water bowls or keeping them where toads cannot reach them.
Is Toad Venom Toxicosis in Dogs common?
Bufotoxicosis is a common condition in endemic areas. Dangerous toads are found in North America in tropical areas such as California, Florida, Hawaii, Texas, Louisiana, and New Mexico. Cases commonly arise in the toads’ breeding season, which in North America is from March to September.
Typical Treatment
- Decontamination
- Supportive therapy
