Danger Warning that concerns your Cats & Doggies! Sonoran Desert Toads are back for the Arizona Monsoon! I just caught my dog chasing one. I captured the toad, not touching it, to confirm and sure enough it was one of those poisonous bastards. It is important to confirm what youre dealing with when this happens but be sure not to touch them with your bare hands or anything their toxins can soak through. Dogs are at especially risk from Sonoran Desert Toads and can quickly exhibit potentially fatal symptoms of toad poisoning (excessive salivation or foaming at the mouth, head shaking, red or irritated gums, drunken gait, confusion, weakness or complete collapse, heart arrhythmia, vomiting, diarrhea, and pawing at the mouth). Seizures and death can occur in dogs within 30 minutes from a Sonoran Desert Toad poisoning. Once toad poisoning symptoms appear, emergency veterinary care is needed, but if you observe your dog with a Sonoran Desert Toad, immediate first aid can help prevent toad poisoning from occurring in the first place: Sonoran Desert Toad (Bufo alvarius) First Aid for Dogs Turn on the garden hose (or other water source) to get a small but steady, gentle flow. Too high a flow can cause your dog to choke or swallow water. Too low a flow (a mere trickle) would be ineffective. Hold your dogs mouth open with its nose pointed downward to prevent water from going down its throat. Put the hose up to the back corner of the dogs mouth and direct the water flow forward towards the front of the mouth. Having the water flow out of the front of the mouth is very important because you dont want your dog swallowing or inhaling any of the water. Rub the dogs gums and wipe off its nose to help remove any toxic slime. Depending on your dogs exposure, continue rinsing its mouth for up to 10 to 15 minutes. If you are unable to immediately and thoroughly rinse out your dogs mouth, if your dog has eaten all or part of one of these toads and/or swallowed the toxin, or if your dog still exhibits any toad poisoning symptoms after washing its mouth, seek immediate, emergency veterinary care! -Article By: T Beth Kinsey on The Firefly Forest webpage (fireflyforest.net/firefly/2007/08/12/sonoran-desert-toad) I have attached some photos of the toad to look out for and below you will find the number of a 24hr pet Emergency call center: PET EMERGENCY HOSPITAL (928) 778-1900 Weeknights: 5:00pm - 8:00am Weekends and Holidays: 24 hours _________________________________________ I hope this helps keep your fur babies safe. PLEASE SHARE!
Posted on: Fri, 29 Aug 2014 04:44:29 +0000
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