How One Pet Owner Acted Quickly To Save His Dog’s Life
“Almost immediately he started to drool, foam around his mouth and shake his head,” says pet owner Leonardo of his dog Bucky. It was late at night, during a walk and, “there was a toad nearby and it made a run for it into a bush. Bucky sprinted, pulling the leash out of my hand. He went into the bush after the toad. I got to him seconds later and the toad was in his mouth,” adds Leonardo.
Bucky, a 50 pound mastiff mix immediately started showing signs of distress. Leonardo and his son Esteban looked online and quickly learned that the toad, commonly found in Florida, is dangerous for pets. Bufo, also known as Giant Toad or Cane Toad is a non-native species. When it gets handled or feels threatened, it secretes a highly toxic substance that can be deadly to pets. Bufo Toad exposure is a very common emergency seen at Advanced Veterinary Care Center, especially during rainy seasons.
Leonardo and Esteban were near a community pool at the time of the incident. They found a hose and very carefully put water on his gums and tongue to remove any toxin present and limit further absorption. The amount of toxin the dog absorbs can directly relate to the severity of their clinical signs, so rinsing quickly after it occurs (as best possible) is important. Care must be taken to prevent water being directed toward the back of the throat or from accumulating in the back of the throat as this carries a risk of inhalation or aspiration of that water which can compromise the lungs. If the head cannot be properly positioned as to drain water from the front of the mouth, or if the pet is unable to swallow, this step should be avoided and the pet immediately transported for emergency care.
When Leonardo and Esteban returned home, they used a damp towel to wipe Bucky’s gums and tongue once more. But, while his mouth stopped foaming, his pupils got very big, according to Leonardo. “He also started having muscle twitches and was shaking,” he adds. “So, we googled 24 hour vet and that’s how we found Advanced Veterinary Care Center. We put him in the car and took him there ASAP. One of the assistants came out and they took him in pretty quickly. It was fast.”
Bucky was also having difficulty walking. He was admitted to AVCC and was given subcutaneous fluids to help flush out the toxins from the Bufo encounter. He was also under observation for possible tremors or seizures.
While many Bufo encounters can be deadly for pets, Leonardo’s quick action saved Bucky’s life. “Everything went great,” he says. “The service at Advanced Veterinary Care Center was quick, professional, and they were very kind, and explained everything perfectly. The place was very clean and it was not too busy at that moment.”
Today Bucky is back to playing, jumping and doing the things he loves, according to Leonardo, who describes his experience at AVCC almost like being at home. “It was a very familiar and warm place to go.
TIPS FOR PREVENTING A BUFO EMERGENCY
Bufo Toad toxicity is relatively common in dogs, according to Advanced Veterinary Care Center Emergency Doctor, Nicole Rogers. Dogs tend to catch toads in their mouths, thereby coming into contact with the toad’s toxin, which the toad releases when it feels threatened. This highly toxic defense chemical is most often absorbed through the mouth, but it may also enter the eyes, causing vision problems. Its effects are lethal if not treated immediately. Most cases of toad poisoning are reported during the summer, when the toads are more active and humidity is high, in the early morning, and just at dusk.
If you observe your pet interacting with a toad, immediately wipe their mouth out with water to rinse away the toxin. If your pet displays any signs of Bufo Toad Toxicity (below), please have them examined by a veterinarian right away.
Pawing at the mouth and/or eyes
Excessive drooling
Change in the gum color – may be dark red or pale
Difficulty breathing
Unsteady movements
Seizures
High temperature
Collapse
Usually, once they recover, there are no long term side effects from these incidents. However, many dogs are repeat offenders and become intoxicated by a Bufo Toad again. There is no outside lawn/yard pest treatment to remove toads, so dogs should be kept on a leash or monitored while outside to prevent toxicity. We also recommend a basket muzzle to prevent contact with toads or other foreign items/creatures.
For more on the Bufo Toad, including photos, visit:
https://wec.ifas.ufl.edu/extension/wildlife_info/frogstoads/bufo_marinus.php
About Advanced Veterinary Care Center –
South Florida’s Premier Veterinary Emergency Hospital
We Have a Fully Staffed Veterinary Emergency Hospital
We have the largest team of veterinary emergency doctors and nurses in South Florida. Our emergency doctors are internship trained and have years of experience in emergency medicine. Every person on our ER team is RECOVER certified (basic and advanced life support/CPR training).
A Collaborative Approach to Veterinary Care
Our emergency doctors are supported 24/7 by our team of board-certified veterinary specialists. We work as a team to provide the best possible outcomes for pets and their people. Great veterinary medical care is a team sport – our collaborative approach and the quality of our team give patients the best chances for the best possible outcomes. We have earned a reputation for handling the most challenging cases because of our team and our approach.
Board Certification. It Matters!
Board certification in an accredited veterinary specialty is the only accepted standard for expertise in veterinary medicine. Our experts are all board certified in their specialties and they have collectively published over 30 peer-reviewed publications in veterinary medical journals.
We Have a State-Of-The-Art Facility
Including a full in-house lab, canine and feline blood products, a brand new 32-slice Fuji CT unit, surgical suites, minimally invasive surgical equipment, flexible and rigid endoscopy, mechanical ventilator, blood products and all equipment and services necessary for state-of-the-art care.
Centrally Located, Easily Accessible, and Worth the Drive.
We are 20 minutes from most of Broward County and 45-60 minutes from much of Miami-Dade and Palm Beach Counties.
We are Privately Owned and Operated.
The owners of AVCC are full-time veterinarians and active members of our community.
Advanced Veterinary Care Center in Davie (Broward County) is open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week. If you have any questions regarding our services, please feel free to call us anytime at 954-500-8387 or visit us online here