Toad Poisoning
Young dogs, usually those less than 18 months old, seem fascinated by toads and they often try to pick them up. All toads secrete musus through the skin that's noxious and causes strings of saliva to spill from a dog's mouth, but the Colorado River toad and the Marine toad can kill. Catching any toad in his mouth can cause him to salivate and paw at his mouth. Poisonous toads produce many substances that are absorbed through the mouth tissues and affect the heart and nervous system. A poisoned pet develops seizures, collapses, and can die within 30 minutes. The dog must be taken to the vet immediately if you live in or travel to places where there are poisonous toads and your pet licks or mouths a toad.
If you see your dog pick up a toad, don't wait for the dog to start to drool. Immediately rinse his mouth out to get rid of the nasty taste of nonpoisonous toads and reduce the toxicity of deadly ones. Use a garden hose or sprayer from the sink and run water in his mouth for at least 3 to 5 minutes.
Get the dog to the vet. Toad poisoning is a medical emergency. Once you have rinsed the dogs mouth, get him to the vet.Dogs who have been poisoned by a toad can very quickly go into shock.
The Colorado River toad is found from the Pecos River west into southern California in the southwestern United States. They are about 7 and a half inches long, have small red spots on their backs, and are most often found in the desert after it rains.
The Marine toad is found in Hawaii as well as from Corpus Christi TX, east along the Gulf Coast, down into Florida, and back up the Atlantic Coast. They can grow up to 9 and a half inches, have cream spots on their brown skin, and flatter heads and bodies than most toads. They are typically found near water sources.