A South Tampa woman is warning pet owners to be on the lookout for Bufo toads after her dog, Callie, survived an encounter earlier this month. Callie, a four-year-old Westie, loves chasing lizards outside in their backyard. However, on July 11, she found a Bufo toad instead.
Bufo Toad Encounter
About ten minutes after Callie came back inside, she began excessively drooling. Her owner, Susan Mazuchowski, initially thought the dog was just overheated. But when Callie started shaking and couldn’t move, Mazuchowski knew something was wrong.
Mazuchowski rushed Callie to VEG ER for Pets, where doctors saw Callie’s bright red gums and diagnosed the issue as a Bufo toad encounter. The veterinarians put Callie under anesthesia to thoroughly rinse out her mouth. Callie spent the night in the hospital but ultimately pulled through and recovered.
The Invasive Toad Threat
Bufo toads, also called Cane toads, are classified as an invasive species in Florida. They thrive during the summer months, particularly after rainstorms. According to Dr. Blake Tomlin, founder and veterinarian at Tomlin Family Pet Hospital, the toads excrete a serious heart toxin and neurotoxin from glands behind their eyes.
If a dog licks or bites one of these toads, the results can be deadly. Dr. Tomlin explained that it can cause the heart to start beating in an arrhythmic way, failing to deliver blood to vital organs. Pet owners are advised to immediately wipe their pet’s gums and rinse their mouth if they come into contact with a Bufo toad, then seek medical attention.
Now, Callie’s lizard-chasing hobby is strictly supervised, and Mazuchowski encourages other dog owners to watch their pets closely while outside. She warns that Bufo toads can be anywhere, especially during the summer months, and that checking a dog’s gums for bright red color can help identify a potential issue.
Original reporting: Tampa Bay Florida News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
