By Alisha Brewer
I remember when I was young digging in my mom’s flower bed one summer night. I had a pile of soil next to me that contained all of the worms that I found. As I continued my hunt for pill bugs and worms I made a miraculous discovery. I found a toad! I was completely elated! I ran over to show my mom my treasure. I’m sure she was thrilled for me, but I had to put him back in his home and go and wash my hands.
What I didn’t know then was that one of our resident toads, The Sonoran Desert Toad, can secret a toxin that, if ingested, can make humans feel a little hallucinogenic and pets very ill.
The Sonoran Desert toad, also called the Colorado River toad, is the largest native toad in the United States. They can grow to seven or more inches long and weigh over a pound! The toads stay dormant underground during the winter, but awaken in the summer and emerge between May-September, typically smack in the middle of our monsoon season. They are nocturnal, so they will come out at night to eat and breed. They are olive green and sometimes brown in color and young toads can have dark red or brown spots on their back. They typically have a round white wart on each corner of their mouth. Compound W isn’t getting this one off. They have a very large raised area behind each eye and on their back legs called a parotoid gland. This is where the toad can secrete a sticky, white and highly toxic substance used to deter predators.
Pet owners beware! These toads are no Prince Charming. If your curious dog or cat should get the toad’s toxin in their mouth or eyes the consequences can be deadly. The Sonoran Desert toad is the second most toxic toad in the world! (Second only to the Cane toad in Australia) A single lick is all it takes for the toxin to cause an immediate reaction. Look for foaming at the mouth, pawing at the mouth, shaking of the head, increased heart rate, panting, drooling, loss of coordination, confusion, dilated pupils, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and paralysis.
If your pet has come in contact with one of these toads (or you suspect that it has) you will need to take immediate action. If the toxin has touched the inside of your pet’s mouth or eyes, start by rinsing it with a hose. If you are flushing your pet’s mouth, you don’t want them to swallow any of the toxic water. It’s very important to flush from one side of the mouth out the other side or from the back of the mouth out the front. Flush for 5-10 minutes, then get your pet to the vet ASAP. Your pet receiving the first flush at home is an important step in their care, so absolutely take those 5-10 minutes to combat the poison.
I have two dogs and every year, come July, I have Sonoran Desert Toads that emerge in my backyard. I stress about toad poisoning every year. The toads enjoy pet food, so I make sure to feed my dogs inside. I also keep their water bowls inside because the toads like to sit in them. I keep a very close eye on my dogs when they are outside during the monsoon months- especially early in the morning and in the evening when the toads are most active. I’ll find toads enjoying the cool water of my pool. However, once they take the plunge, they typically can’t get out and will succumb to the chlorine and chemicals. If I find them alive, I will skim them out, place them in a bucket and release them in a nearby wash.
Kermit The Frog said, “It’s not easy being green.” This may be true. However, for this topic, it’s not easy dealing with the green either. It is hard to eradicate them from your yard and you don’t know when they’ll pop up. Stay vigilant this monsoon season and keep a close eye on the furry members of your family. Be sure to share the information that you learned from this article with other pet owners out there, not only is it ribbiting, it could also save a life.
Alisha Brewer is a veteran zoo keeper of nearly 15 years, U of A alum. Boy mom, veggie dog connoisseur, anti Oxford comma and eternal optimist. Alisha hopes to connect residents to the incredible creatures that surround us.
