Bufo Toads (Giant Toads or Bufo Marinus) are today a commonly found toad species in South Florida; in fact it is almost endemic to the region. It is found in South Texas as well. Ironically, this poison-secreting toad is actually an introduced animal. Today, it is considered an invasive species – a threat to the naturally occurring fauna of Florida but when it was introduced it was for the purpose of controlling Scarabaeidae larvae that were damaging sugarcane crop in the state.
Adult Bufo toads are between 6-9 inches in length and have a grey-brown warty skin. The large parotid glands are a distinguishing feature.
Bufo toads are adaptable in terms of diet; with respect to habitat they prefer being close to a water body such as a pond, lake, canal, swimming pools, and even the moisture around air conditioners. These omnivorous toads will eat almost anything that they can get between their toothless jaws. This includes pet food. Therefore do not leave pet food dishes in the yard; these are an open invitation to this pest. If you are eliminating the toads in your yard, ensure that those are indeed Bufo Marinus. A native species, the Bufo Terristris looks a lot like the Giant Toad but can be left alone; it’s not toxic to humans and animals.
Pet owners in the natural range of this large toad are always wary of it, particularly during rainy summer months when the animal is most active as this is mating season for it. When irritated or under threat, the animal, also known as the marine toad secretes a white fatty substance from the parotid glands behind its eyes. The substance is poisonous and is known as “bufotoxin”. And know this – there is no known antidote for this toxin. Preventing contact of pet and toad is of paramount importance.
If you or your neighbors have a fountain or swimming pool in the yard then it is your responsibility to ensure that these toads neither breed there nor make that zone their home.
All toads are slow movers and poor jumpers compared to frogs and the Bufo toad is no exception. Dogs and cats are attracted to this slow-moving creature that is so within their reach. But if your pet clamps its jaws around this toad then the bufotoxin released by the toad will be very quickly absorbed by the mucous membranes in your pet’s mouth. Death can occur in as short a time as fifteen minutes. The risk of fatality is higher for smaller animals.
If you own a cat or a small dog such as a Jack Russell terrier or a daschund you have to be very careful about letting the animal free in the backyard, particularly at night time because this is when this toad is most active. The majority of poisonings occur during late evening, night, and early morning hours. Cats are natural predators and some dog species have a stronger instinct to hunt as compared to other canine species.
The symptoms associated with exposure to bufotoxin are gastrointestinal, cardiovascular, and neurological in nature.
Gastrointestinal symptoms include excessive salivating, pain in the mouth as is apparent by the animal’s discomfort, bright red gums, and drooling and foaming at the mouth. The affected pet may also vomit and experience diarrhea.
Cardiovascular symptoms include arrhythmia, commonly known as irregular heartbeat.
Neurological symptoms include loss of co-ordination in movement, whimpering, and seizures.
As mentioned earlier there is no known antidote for bufotoxin; the treatment consists mainly in giving the animal IV fluids and drugs to counter arrhythmia. You have to call the vet immediately. Or take the animal to the hospital; which may be a better idea because most poisonings occur at night and a lot of time can elapse between you calling a vet and it responding. On your part, you should rinse your pet’s mouth as thoroughly as you can. The toxin is sticky and slimy. If you can, then gently wipe it off the insides of your pet’s mouth. The situation can deteriorate quickly if the animal starts getting seizures. There is some anecdotal evidence to suggest that vinegar serves as an effective home remedy against bufo toad poisoning. If you can corroborate this or wish to share your experience with bufo toads, please leave a comment below.
