Toad poisoning

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Sections available in full article Introduction, Presenting signs, Acute presentation, Geographic incidence, Cost considerations, Special risks (e.g. anesthetic), Pathogenesis, Etiology, Predisposing factors, Pathophysiology, Timecourse (incubation, duration), Diagnosis, Client history, Clinical signs, Diagnostic investigation, Gross autopsy findings, Differential diagnosis, Treatment, Initial symptomatic treatment, Monitoring, Sequelae, Prognosis, Expected response to treatment, Reasons for treatment failure, Sources, Publications, Vetstream contributor(s),
Contributors Dr Rosalind Dalefield BVSc PhD DipABVT DipABT

Introduction

  • Cause : all toads are poisonous either by being eaten or by being mouthed.
  • The native British toad, Bufus vulgaris is much less toxic than some exotic species, Bufus blombergi , Bufus alvarius , Bufus marinus .
  • Signs : inflammation of the mouth and pharynx with ptyalism and retching, abdominal pain, vomiting, neurological and cardiovascular effects.
  • In Britain the signs are usually confined to local oral effects. Contact with exotic toads are more likely to cause the more severe systemic effects and these may be fatal.
  • Treatment : symptomatic.
  • Prognosis : good following exposure to native UK toads; otherwise guarded.

Diagnosis

Clinical signs

  • Abdominal pain.
  • Salivation.
  • Retching.
  • Pyrexia.
  • Labored breathing.
  • Posterior incoordination.
  • Ataxia.
  • Sternal recumbency.
  • Fixed gaze.
  • Apparent blindness.
Exotic toads
  • Exposure to exotic toads, the African Bufus regularis , and the species which has been introduced into the southern USA Bufus marinus , usually cause more severe signs:
  • Ptyalism.
  • Head shaking.
  • Anorexia.
  • Abdominal pain.
  • Ataxia.
  • Tachypnea.
  • Vomiting  Vomiting  .
  • Diarrhea.
  • Blindness.
  • Convulsions.
  • Paraplegia.
  • Ventricular dysrhythmia.
  • Death.

Diagnosis

Differential diagnosis

  • Acute gastroenteritis.
  • Primary neurological disease, eg trauma, neoplasia.
  • Feline infectious enteritis  Feline panleucopenia virus disease  .
  • Oral foreign body.
  • Pharyngeal, esophageal  Esophagus: foreign body  or gastrointestinal foreign body.
  • Pharyngitis  Pharyngitis tonsillitis  .
  • Oral trauma, caustic burns, cat flu-associated ulcers  Viral-induced upper respiratory tract disease  .
  • Hepatic encephalopathy  Hepatic encephalopathy  .
  • Hymenoptera or arachnid sting.
  • Other toxins:
    • Lead  Lead toxicity  .
    • Organophosphates  Organophosphorus poisoning  .
    • Arsenic.
    • Pyrethrins.
    • Borate.
    • Nicotine.
    • Toxic plants.

Sequelae

Prognosis

  • The prognosis is very good for exposure to Bufus vulgaris . Only a kitten with a large exposure, or adult cats with a large exposure and a serious underlying disease should be at risk of dying.
  • Exposure to exotic species is likely to always be more serious and exposure to some species may usually be fatal.

Expected response to treatment

  • Most cats will completely recover from the relatively mild disease seen with Bufus vulgaris exposure within 12 hours, especially after removal of the venom from the mouth.
  • With more severe disease the cat should recover in about 1 week with supportive and symptomatic care.

Reasons for treatment failure

  • Pre-existing disease making animal less tolerant to effects of toxins.
  • Small animal receiving large dose of venom.
  • Exposure to exotic toad species.
  • Incorrect diagnosis.

Sources

Publications

Refereed papers

  • Palumbo NE, Perri S & Read G (1975)Experimental induction and treatment of toad poisoning in the dog.JAVMA167(11), 1000-1005.
  • Bedford PGC (1974)Toad venom toxicity and its clinical occurrence in small animals in the UK.Vet Rec94(26), 613-614.
  • Perry B D & Bracegirdle JR (1973)Toad poisoning in small animals.Vet Rec92(22), 589-590.
  • Otani A, Palumbo N & Read G (1969)Pharmacodynamics and treatment of mammals poisoned by Bufo marinus toxin.Am J Vet Res30(10), 1865-1872.

Other sources of information

  • Palumbo N E & Perri S F (1983)Toad poisoningIn:Current Veterinary Therapy VII.W B Saunders, Philadelphia, pp 160-162.
  • Fowler ME (1993)Veterinary Zootoxicology.CRC Press Inc.
  • Osweiler G (1996)Toxicology.Williams and Wilkins.
  • Peterson ME and Roberts BK (2001)Amphibian ToxinsIn:Small Animal Toxicology.Eds Peterson & Talcott. WB Saunders.

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