[Carl in Tampa]

I HAD A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE THIS MORNING. My daughter dropped off her (our) Beagle at my house and rushed off to an appointment. A few minutes later the dog began staggering, seemed to be losing control of his back legs and seemed to be losing his vision. He came to me when I called, but was apathetic, lacking altertness. I detected slight foaming at the mouth.

I had my son grab him up and rush him to the Vet. After one look the Vet said the dog had come in contact with a Bufo Toad. This toad secretes a substance that is poisonous to dogs, cats and other small animals. The Vet gave our dog a shot, washed his mouth out with Dawn and water, and administered extra liquids by IV. He said the dog merely licked the toad, and that was enough to poison him.

By the time that my son brought him home, about an hour later, the dog was fine. Some web sites say that if a dog or cat is exposed to this poison and is left untreated there is a high likelihood that it will die. I want to make sure all of my friends are aware of this hazard.

A photo of the toad appears at the linked web site. BUFO TOAD|Giant Killer toads invade So. FL threaten your pet

[kcrazorbackfan]

Thanks for the info. I really watch my "girls" when we go out for a walk or their potty time.

[jimnc]

Another thanks to Carl in Tampa. We have a beagle. I have also passed this information on to a dog-loving friend.

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by Carl in Tampa

I HAD A FRIGHTENING EXPERIENCE THIS MORNING. My daughter dropped off her (our) Beagle at my house and rushed off to an appointment. A few minutes later the dog began staggering, seemed to be losing control of his back legs and seemed to be losing his vision. He came to me when I called, but was apathetic, lacking altertness. I detected slight foaming at the mouth.

I had my son grab him up and rush him to the Vet. After one look the Vet said the dog had come in contact with a Bufo Toad. This toad secretes a substance that is poisonous to dogs, cats and other small animals. The Vet gave our dog a shot, washed his mouth out with Dawn and water, and administered extra liquids by IV. He said the dog merely licked the toad, and that was enough to poison him.

By the time that my son brought him home, about an hour later, the dog was fine. Some web sites say that if a dog or cat is exposed to this poison and is left untreated there is a high likelihood that it will die. I want to make sure all of my friends are aware of this hazard.

A photo of the toad appears at the linked web site. BUFO TOAD|Giant Killer toads invade So. FL threaten your pet

Thanks Carl in Tampa. Beau does not seem very interested in these but I still pull him away from one when he is leashed and going towards one. I have never heard of one at Doggie Doo Run Run (DDRR) during the just about ten years now I have been visiting the place. First as a seeker of a new dog in 2006 when I even ran into Holly but did not know who she was. Then in 2007 after we got Sport in January of 2007. Holly was there too.

[LitespeedRider]

I think that "possibly" one was found a couple weeks ago at the "unofficial" dog park on Rio Grande...maybe. I know it was a toad...none of the dogs seemed to awfully interested in it. I held it and put it in some tall grass on the back side of the lawn bowling area...no ill reactions to my skin...

[Taltarzac725]

Originally Posted by LitespeedRider

I think that "possibly" one was found a couple weeks ago at the "unofficial" dog park on Rio Grande...maybe. I know it was a toad...none of the dogs seemed to awfully interested in it. I held it and put it in some tall grass on the back side of the lawn bowling area...no ill reactions to my skin...

I used to go there with Sport my dog I had before Beau but now cannot go there as Beau would wander off somewhere.

[Carla B]

My husband and I were just saying last week that we had never seen a toad in Florida in 15 years. Guess we haven't been looking in the right places, not that we have missed them.