The annual threat to dog owners is back! Cane toads (also known as Bufo toads) are typically seen in the evenings in South Florida from March until November and pose a serious threat to pets. Cane toads are poisonous amphibians that can produce a milky, toxic, white substance on their backs called Bufotoxin. This toxin in very dangerous to household pets and could leave a dog or cat in serious distress (or cause death). Cane toads are actually poisonous to most animals that try to bite or consume them, which is why they have no known predators (which allows them to be highly invasive).
If your pet licks or bites a cane toad, your pet can develop symptoms such as foaming at the mouth, excessive drooling, head shaking, loss of coordination and sometimes convulsions. Depending on the size of the pet and the amount of toxin consumed, dogs can have seizures, heart problems, arrythmias, severe changes in body temperature or even die.
Not all toads are toxic! Cane toads are known by their warty skin, dark spots, and large triangular parotoid glands on their shoulders. Unlike the non-toxic southern toad, they do not have ridges on top of their heads. They also tend to be large, up to 6-9 inches in length which is much larger than the southern toad.
What should I do if my pet ingests Bufotoxin?
It is generally advised to try to use a damp cloth or towel to wipe the pet’s mouth and remove any Bufotoxin. Using a hose or faucet to flush the dog’s mouth is inconsistently advised as this can send toxins further down into the dog’s throat. If you do need to wash your dog’s mouth out, wash toxins forward so the water does not go down the throat. Seek medical attention from your vet or animal hospital right away to treat symptoms.
Preventing Bufotoxin exposure?
The state’s wildlife commission encourages homeowners first to reduce places where cane toads can burrow. Keeping your grass short, filling in any known holes, trimming under shrubs and clearing away brush is recommended. They also recommend killing cane toads when possible and The University of Florida recommends euthanizing them by rubbing or spraying 20% benzocaine toothache gel or sunburn spray on the toad. In a few minutes, it will become unconscious. Put the cane toad in a sealed plastic bag in the freezer for 24-48 hours to ensure it is humanely euthanized.
Alternatively, Toadal Repellant can be used as a spot treatment to treat areas cane toads usually nest. Toadal Repellant can also be sprayed directly on cane toads. A few sprays will usually cause the cane toad to hop away while more sprays temporarily anesthetize the toad so you can remove your pet from the area. This also prevents you from needing to put the toad in your freezer! Cane toads are most often seen in the evenings so when you do walk your pet at night, bring a flashlight with you to better see any threats and consider carrying a small bottle of Toadal Repellant. Finally, an animal trapper can be called to remove cane toads from the yard. Spot treating and/or cane toad removal both need to be done regularly as cane toads are migratory and therefore will continue to appear from March until late November.
Why are cane toads in Florida?
Cane toads are native to South and Central America and were brought to Palm Beach County to control pests in the sugar cane fields in the 1930s and 1940s. While the initial group is believed to have died out, more cane toads were imported in the 1950s and 60s which led to the current cane toad population. Cane toads are generally allover South Florida, in some of central Florida and can be in the northwest, toward the Florida panhandle. Florida’s climate is ideal for this invasive species due to our warm, wet and humid climate.
In Summary
The best pet protection from Cane Toads is awareness and preparation. Know what to look for, be prepared (consider a flashlight and a bottle of Toadal Repellant on your nighttime walks) and act fast if your pet does consume any Bufotoxin.
