What to Do if Your Dog Eats a Bufo (Cane) Toad

Florida is home to many unique creatures—not all of them harmless. The invasive Bufo marinus (cane toad) is one of those. If your dog chews or ingests a cane toad, it can be life-threatening. At Partners Animal Hospital – Fruitville, we want you to feel informed, prepared and confident about how to react in this scenario.

Why cane toads are dangerous
Cane toads secrete potent toxins from glands behind their ears (parotoid glands). When a dog mouths or bites the toad, the toxins can enter the dog’s body through the mouth, and in some cases the eyes. These toxins affect the heart, nervous system and can cause rapid deterioration. Dogs can collapse, go into cardiac arrest, or die quickly without treatment.

Signs that your dog may have been exposed

• Frothy or excessive salivation
• Pawing at the mouth, face or eyes
• Gagging or retching
• Vomiting
• Rapid heart rate, collapse or seizures
• Redness or swelling around the mouth or tongue
• Blindness or unresponsiveness (if toxin affected eyes/brain)
  If you see any of these signs and know your dog had contact with a cane toad (or you suspect it), this is a veterinary emergency.
  

Immediate steps you can take

1. Stay calm and keep your dog from swallowing more.
2. Without touching the dog’s mouth with bare hands (use gloves or cloth), flush the dog’s mouth with large amounts of clean water—this helps remove residual toxin. Also flush the dog’s eyes if you suspect exposure there.
3. Rinse the dog’s coat as well, particularly around the face and neck.
4. Bring your dog to us immediately. Time is of the essence.
5. Take note if possible of when and where the exposure occurred, and if you can capture the toad (safely) or take a photo, it can help the vet team.
   

What happens at the clinic
When your dog arrives, we’ll assess the airway, heart rhythm, blood pressure, and begin aggressive supportive care. This typically includes:

• IV fluids
• Heart monitoring
• Anti-toxin treatments (depending on what’s indicated)
• Eye and mouth care if eyes were affected
• Oxygen supplementation and seizure control if needed
  The earlier this treatment begins, the better the chances of recovery.
  

Preventing future risk

• Supervise your dog outdoors, especially at dusk or night when toads are more active.
• Keep dog toys and water bowls away from low-lying areas where toads may gather.
• Consider walking dogs on leash rather than free roaming in areas known to have cane toads.
• Educate family members, children, and anyone exercising your dog about the toad risk.
• If your property has a toad problem, discuss safe removal with a pest control professional—DO NOT attempt to handle toads with bare hands.

Encountering a cane toad can happen in Florida and it’s scary—but with the right immediate actions and prompt veterinary care, your dog’s chances can be much improved. If you ever suspect your dog has eaten or been exposed to a cane toad, don’t hesitate—call us right away. Your pet’s life could depend on it.