Consequently, if a predator or human comes into contact with the parotid glands, the effects of the toxins can be more intense. It’s important to note that not all species of toads are equally toxic. For example, the American toad, which is commonly found in North America, has a much lower toxicity compared to the cane toad. However, it’s still advised to avoid contact with any toad species, as their toxic secretions can cause harm.
Cane toad poisoning can cause death, especially without treatment. Any pet exposed to Cane toads should see a veterinarian immediately after rinsing the mouth. By understanding the facts about European toads and their toxicity, you can take steps to protect yourself, your pets, and the environment. Awareness, prevention, and responsible action are key to coexisting safely with these fascinating creatures.
Wear gloves and gently scoop the toad into a bucket or container. Relocate it to a safe area away from your home, such as a wooded area. Symptoms typically appear within 30 minutes to a few hours of exposure. Refer to the below-handling guidelines when you have to touch a toad. This permeability allows them to breathe through their skin to supplement their lung respiration. It also leaves them especially susceptible to environmental pollutants.
A general rule of thumb is that toads have drier, warty skin and shorter legs, while frogs have smoother, more moist skin and longer legs. However, this is not a foolproof method, and identification can be tricky. Certain states in the US are known to harbor highly toxic toads, including Arizona, New Mexico, California, Texas, Florida, and Hawaii. The danger comes from ingesting the toxin or getting it in your eyes or mouth.
They are gentle and helpful creatures that eat annoying bugs and are interesting to spot and watch. There’s no need to interact with a toad in nature, and any sort would likely cause the toad distress. Due to the variance in toxicity among toads, there are naturally some more dangerous species. In North America, the most precarious toads are the Cane Toad and the Colorado River Toad.
Reptiles and amphibians, including toads, can carry infectious bacteria called Salmonella. Cane toads have distinct bony ridges above their eyes, large parotoid glands, unwebbed hands but webbed toes, and dry, warty skin. While most toads won’t cause serious harm, it’s generally not advisable to handle them due to the potential for allergic reactions and toxin exposure. Please do not ask emergency or other specific medical questions about your pets in the blog comments. As an online informational resource, Preventive Vet is unable to and does not provide specific medical advice or counseling. A thorough physical exam, patient history, and an established veterinary-patient-client relationship is required to provide specific medical advice.
Remember, respect for wildlife and a healthy dose of caution are always the best approach. April showers bring May flowers, but spring also brings cane toad breeding season. The toxic amphibians have become the “poster child” for the vast array of invasive species that have turned Southwest Florida into their makeshift home. We hit the trails with a group that specialized in hunting dangerous animals to help protect family pets.
The veterinarian will perform a history and physical examination. Additional information is very helpful in establishing not only the diagnosis (if it is in question) but also your pet’s treatment plan. These toads live underground until the monsoon season, when they rise above the ground.
He took over toadsnfrogs.com to make frog education engaging and accessible, providing resources that inspire others to care for frogs and their habitats. A lessened amount of toxins will still affect poisoned animals on a broad scale. As are all toads poisonous a result, this defensive mechanism often prevents the toad tadpoles and toadlets from being eaten by predators while they are still maturing. Toxic toads, such as the Cane Toad and Colorado River Toad, often have large parotoid glands behind their eyes. They may also have other distinguishing features, such as bony ridges or smooth skin.
For example, the American toad (Anaxyrus americanus) is non-toxic and poses no threat to humans or pets. Similarly, the African common toad (Amietophrynus regularis) lacks toxic skin secretions. While the distinction is not always clear-cut, toads generally have drier, warty skin and shorter legs than frogs. Frogs tend to be more aquatic, while toads are more terrestrial.
Other parts of a true toad’s body, such as its liver and reproductive organs, also contain varying levels of toxins. The liver, in particular, can be highly toxic due to the accumulation of bufotoxins. These toxins are predominantly stored in the liver and can pose a significant risk if ingested. However, it is important to note that consuming any part of a true toad can be potentially harmful, as the toxins can spread throughout the body. Ingesting a true toad or its secretions can also be toxic to humans. There have been reported cases of accidental ingestion or even intentional use of toad secretions for recreational purposes, resulting in adverse effects.
There have been isolated reports of individuals seeking out Colorado River toads for recreational use, resulting in poisoning and medical emergencies. Remember that education and prevention are the best defenses against toad poisoning. Enjoy the outdoors responsibly, and appreciate these fascinating creatures from a safe distance. While all toads possess parotoid glands that secrete toxins, the potency of these toxins varies significantly. Some toads may only cause mild skin irritation, while others can be dangerous.
Educating yourself about the local wildlife and taking precautions can help prevent accidental exposure to toxic species. Not all toads that secrete toxins are necessarily poisonous to humans. Some toads produce mild toxins that are not harmful to humans but serve as a deterrent to predators. While it is unlikely that touching a poisonous toad will result in death, it is possible to experience symptoms of poisoning such as nausea, vomiting, and skin irritation.
Veterinary treatment may involve medications to control seizures, IV fluids to flush the toxins from the system, and monitoring of heart function. Ingestion of TTX initially causes lip and tongue numbness, followed by numbness of the face, arms, and legs. It can quickly progress to paralysis of the entire body, including the respiratory muscles. Without treatment, death can result from the inability to breathe.
Predators and other animals that venture to attack or eat a toxic toad may experience symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, cardiac arrest. Some poisonous toads have distinctive physical characteristics such as brightly colored skin, warty bumps, or enlarged parotoid glands behind the eyes. Although some toad species can be extremely toxic to humans, most toads are primarily toxic to animals and will only cause mild poisoning in humans. Still, these toxins are a primary defensive mechanism for toads living in the wild, and curious amphibian lovers should always keep a safe distance when exploring toad habitats. So, it’s good to be aware of what toxic toads are in your area or where you travel and what to do if you suspect your pet has had a run-in with one.
If you live in an area where toxic toads are common, be careful with your cat’s outdoor time. Try a catio with mesh small enough to keep toads out, or avoid letting your cat out when toads are most active. Our friends at Feline Behavior Solutions all have homemade catios for their cats, as featured in the photo above. Colorado River toad poisoning rarely causes death with treatment, except through secondary heat stroke. If a dog licks a toad, rinsing the mouth may relieve signs within 30 minutes, but a veterinarian should be contacted for all toad exposures. Warts are caused by a virus that can only be transferred to humans from another human, not from toads.
However, all toads can pose risks for young children and those with health vulnerabilities. The Cane Toad (Rhinella marina) is an exception with much more potent toxins, posing a serious risk to animals and pets. While bufotoxins in American Toads serve as a deterrent, many animals have adapted ways to consume these toads safely. These strategies enable certain animals to prey on toads despite their toxic defenses.
Frogs, on the other hand, are built for jumping with their long, powerful legs. Dr. Fryer graduated with Honors from Brown University with an AB in Development Studies, an interdisciplinary study of the developing world. She graduated from North Carolina State University College of Veterinary Medicine in 2000. Dr. Fryer completed a rotating internship in Small Animal Medicine and Surgery and a Small Animal Internal Medicine Residency at Texas A&M University. She also has certifications as a Nutrition Coach and a Therapeutic Nutrition Coach (for sick pets). The veterinarian may keep the ECG on your pet for the duration of their hospitalization.