Treatment for cane toad poisoning may include supportive care to manage symptoms, such as intravenous fluids for dehydration and medications to control nausea and vomiting. In severe cases, antidotes may be administered to counteract the effects of the toxin. The study setting was a poison center of a tertiary teaching hospital in Thailand. Most queries to the RPC are from medical personnel; the RPC responds to approximately 15,000–20,000 consultation requests/year. Follow-up telephone calls are periodically made to collect data and monitor patient progress, to provide ongoing treatment recommendations, and to determine the patients’ medical outcomes. All cases are recorded in the RPC Toxic Exposure Surveillance System database and are verified by a team of information scientists and medical toxicologists.
Exposure to these toxins can cause tremors, seizures, low heart rate and can be quickly fatal. The cane toad is found in Florida, southern Texas and Hawaii and the Colorado River toad is found in southern parts of Arizona, New Mexico and California. Decontamination is key, and it is the only treatment that can be done at home. Decontamination means removing the toxin by washing, rinsing, flushing, or irrigating with water. Do not attempt to induce vomiting or try to manage an exposure at home beyond decontamination without seeking advice from a healthcare provider.
There is an antidote, but only for the CAS portion of Bufo toad secretions. This means that the care and treatment provided for poisoned patients is largely supportive and often provided in a hospital. The Colorado River Toad (Incilius alvarius) and the Cane Toad (Rhinella marinus) both secrete bufotoxins, which can cause irregular heartbeats, changes in heart rate, tremors and seizures. The initial signs will be similar to mildly toxic toads—drooling, pawing at the face, vomiting. But they will often progress to shock and neurologic signs within 30 minutes to several hours, eventually resulting in death. If your pet has been exposed to one of these highly toxic toads, getting what is steve harwell dying from? them in to see a veterinarian immediately is critical.
Toxicity to Dogs and Cats
If your dog eats or licks a toad in most other parts of the US, only minor symptoms would likely be expected. Though poisoning from toads may seem uncommon, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (APCC) occasionally gets calls from concerned pet parents after their pets have interacted with toads. The lifespan of American toads can vary, but in the wild is often only how to store urine for drug test a few years.
Study Protocol
As you can imagine, toads don’t like to be eaten, licked or chewed, so they have a unique defense mechanism—they secrete fluids from their glands to ward off predators. The data are not available for public access because of harbor house sober living patient privacy concerns but are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
- They have parotid glands behind their eyes, which are responsible for secreting a milky substance known as bufotoxin.
- Contact your veterinarian promptly for further guidance and to determine the best course of action.
- If your dog eats or licks a toad in most other parts of the US, only minor symptoms would likely be expected.
- Decontamination is key, and it is the only treatment that can be done at home.
The bufotoxin in the toad’s skin secretions can cause various signs when pets come into contact with or ingest it. While this toxin doesn’t tend to be deadly it can cause excessive drooling, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, and diarrhea. If you suspect that your dog or cat has had contact with an American toad or ingested one, it is essential to act quickly.
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Avoid touching your face or eyes while handling toads to prevent any potential irritation or allergic reactions. American toads are indeed poisonous, but like most toads in the United States, they are mildly toxic, although they can cause some dramatic signs. However, it’s important to note that two other species of toad- the marine or cane toad and the Colorado River toad- produce much more potent toxins.
Cane toad toxins can be absorbed through the skin, especially if you have cuts, abrasions, or other openings in the skin. It’s important to wear protective clothing and gloves when handling cane toads to reduce the risk of exposure. Individuals with compromised immune systems, respiratory conditions, or cardiac issues may be at higher risk of complications from cane toad poisoning. It’s important to seek medical attention promptly if you fall into one of these categories. Some individuals may be allergic to cane toad toxins and may experience an allergic reaction upon exposure. It’s important to seek medical attention if you have a known allergy to amphibians or suspect an allergic reaction.
