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Hi All,

 

Bufo Toad alert!

They come out after rain, even a few days after - usually out around dawn and dusk into nightfall.

Indigenous to South and Central America and in Southern Texas - brought to South Florida in mid-50's (some one thought it was a good idea for bug control - Didn't work ...) now these toads are all the way up at least as far as Tampa in Florida.

 

These toads secrete a neuro-toxin from their backs as defense and depending on the amount of toxin absorbed and the weight of the animal it CAN BE DEADLY WITHIN MINUTES (up to 15 minutes most crucial).

 

Unfortunately at the dog park I go to these frogs/toads come in at certain times of year. Fall is primetime here.

Hadn't seen any lately then just had a dose of rain and POOF toads a hopping at dusk and after dark.

 

We all keep an eye on our dogs and yes they disappear for a few minutes here and there as they run with different dogs - then it got dark (it gets dark early and dogs still need exercise), all of a sudden ... head count ..... "where's Coffey, where's Coffey?????!!!!!!" I see him under a tree with head down silhouette looks like he might be eating something. CALL Him, no immediate response, finally he reluctantly moves away and then circles back to area close and puts his head down again. So now I know it is something alive because it has moved a little. Mouse, Snake, crap - poisonous, nonpoisonous .... is it the python again? OR .. oh no ... (poisonous) Bufo Toad.

 

YEP, there he is standing there licking the back of a Bufo Toad that had flattened itself to the ground as much as possible.

PANIC! no think .... grab dog by collar and lead him to the water hose. Rinse pushing water out of the mouth. Coffey not being as cooperative as last time.

When I stop rinsing he is still licking his mouth in an odd way. NOT normal.

 

Good thing the ER Vet is about 6 blocks away.

They took him in, rinsed more, listened to his heart and as he didn't show any major symptoms - put us in a room for 15 - 20 minutes and told to yell if anything changed ... drooling, foaming, unsteady gait or any un-coordination, panting, seizure or anything looking like beginnings of.

 

He had one slight weave in his step and an odd whine during the waiting period, then started playing with Tayamni (who was giving low whines/moans in concern prior to them playing).

 

Before we were given the green light, the vet tech listened good to Coffey's chest and checked his gums a couple times.

Bufo toxicity causes gums to get really red as a side effect.

Coffey has black & pink gums and the pink gums had a bright red line at bottom near front of mouth/above canine tooth.

 

Crisis averted.

I learned that rinsing of mouth needs to be done for outside of gums also. Sometimes paw pads if dog may have pawed the toad.

Since I caught it right away and Coffey didn't pick up the toad in his mouth - I probably could have rinsed all away to stop him from licking weird.

 

Vet said it really is diluting the toxin not washing it away because toxin is absorbed through tissues.

Also, it is not a delayed reaction, neurotoxins have affect within 15 - 20 minutes or faster.

 

Glad we got him to the Vet quickly and it all ended well!

 

 

NOW, unfortunately I think Coffey enjoyed his little "trip". Will have to watch him closer. Uhhh, teenagers! (If only he would grow out of it like human teenagers do).

 

 

 

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YIPES!!...and WHEW!!! Oh my goodness, how scary...so glad that all turned out ok.

 

Yep. Teenagers..my black lab grabbed a mushroom in the woods that was definitely inedible, not lethal, but wow did she get sick!!!! Leaking out both ends, and of course, lots of doggie washing after a few hours of letting her purge outside (summertime, thankfully). Sad eyes, looking back at me, but lesson learned. :o

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YIPES!!...and WHEW!!! Oh my goodness, how scary...so glad that all turned out ok. Yep. Teenagers..my black lab grabbed a mushroom in the woods that was definitely inedible, not lethal, but wow did she get sick!!!! Leaking out both ends, and of course, lots of doggie washing after a few hours of letting her purge outside (summertime, thankfully). Sad eyes, looking back at me, but lesson learned. :o

 

Yep, Sh%# happens! :blink:

 

Posted this Topic because there are more people in Texas getting pups AND more of us traveling with our dogs outside our normal living areas.

I have heard there are classes to train a dog to avoid snakes.

Hmmm, toads and mushrooms .... I'm beginning to see a theme

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Wow, so glad he is okay!! We are lucky we don't really have those kinds of threats up here in the Northeast aside from mushrooms and at least those don't move around and attract interest. I've heard of Bufos before but I had no idea they were introduced to the States. That is scary stuff...

Stay away from those critters, Coffey!

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Wow so glad it's all ok --Zuni would for sure try to eat that....

 

no, no eating! that's even worse than licking!!!!!

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Good job you, and thanks for the warning. 15-20 minutes doesn't give you much time!

 

I did not realize they were here, either.

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