Dogs and Toads

You may find cane toads moving around or even stuck in the water bowl.  The toxin on their skin or which they can squirt can kill a dog.  Smaller dogs and puppies are most likely to be adversely effected simply due to a lower body mass.  During night time when toads are most active keeping your dog inside is one way to avoid contact.  If they need to go out for a spell you can use a lead. If your dog licks, mouths or eats a toad a tell-tale sign is drooling and foaming at the mouth.  Our largest dog has a strong prey drive and hasn’t yet learned to ‘leave it’ with toads.  A garden hose can be used to wash out the dogs mouth after contact.  Naturally the water stream needs to face forwards so as to not to be directed down the dogs throat.  This may involve a lot of resistance and instill a hatred of the hose.  Another way is to have a large syringe of water to flush the poison away forwards with the dogs head facing down. The method I use is with a wet cloth e.g. old facewasher, clean around the lips and gums, rinsing the cloth each time.  I desensitized our dog over a few week first by running my wet fingers around the same area and treating with rewards for her allowing me to do it.  Then I moved onto wearing gloves and then introduced a wet face washer.  Be aware – if your dog is convulsing a bite could occur.

Whatever you do, be vigilant about wearing gloves and washing your hands afterwards as toads toxin can poison humans. Seek your vet’s advice on suitable treatment.

Leah & Angela OMeara

Hound Dog Day Care (Specialists in Dog Minding & Dog Boarding, Pet Sitting Brisbane & Doggy Day Care Brisbane)