Have you ever had a pet with an adventurous appetite? If you allow your cat some outdoor time, they can find and eat something outside that can be harmful. Imagine, your cat comes back inside looking pleased with themselves and shortly after they vomit up a freshly caught toad. What do you do in this type of emergency? Continue reading below to know what steps to take if your furry friend makes an unexpected meal choice.
Where to Find Toads
Toads are most active in the warm months and can be found in wet environments. Toads like to hangout in gardens, ponds, backyards, woods, and more. Most toad species will only cause mild symptoms if their toxins are ingested, but poisonous toads such as Bufo, Cane or Colorado River toad can pose a huge risk to animals and humans alike. When toads feel threatened, they release toxins through glands in their skin to protect themselves. Toads may be hard to identify if you’re unfamiliar with different species, so if your cat has interacted with a toad and you live in a region where highly poisonous toads are common, you must treat it as an emergency.
Symptoms of Toad Poisoning
If your cat has eaten, licked, or mouthed a poisonous toad they can experience severe symptoms. The toxins can impact the cardiovascular and nervous systems. Within minutes to an hour after ingesting the toxins, your cat may experience the following clinical signs of poisoning:
- Drooling
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Increased body temperature
- Difficulty breathing
- Abnormal heart rhythm
- Bright-red, inflamed gums
- Eye irritation
- Seizures
Treatment
If your cat has eaten a toad, you must seek treatment immediately. Call your veterinarian and Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 for life-saving advice. Take your cat to the veterinary clinic for emergency care. Specific treatment will depend on the time of ingestion and the species of the toad. IV fluids will aid in flushing the toxins out of the system and medications may be needed to control seizures. If you delay treatment, your cat’s nervous and cardiovascular systems can be severely damaged, leading to heart arrhythmias and possibly death. Prevention is key to avoiding toad poisoning, so always monitor your pet’s environment to keep them safe and healthy.
