Stop Poisonous Bufo Toads from Poisoning Your Dog

Flushing Mouth With Water
Posted by Linda (Pahoa, Hawaii) on 07/06/2007
★★★★★

In Hawaii and at night, the Bufo Toads rule the garden. When the garden contains several koi ponds, you better believe the toads are in residence. My large rotti/lab mix has gotten in the habit of hunting these poisonous critters. By habit, I mean she is addicted to the "high" she gets when she bites into one of these creatures. I've taken to flushing out her mouth with water using the garden hose when she approaches me and is frothing at the mouth. Eyes glazed, rolling on the lawn, and snorting, she appears to be having a grand old time. The only way I can prevent her from indulging in this toad sport is to tie her up or keep her in the house at night. The toads are an asset in the garden as they keep the centipede population in check as both creatures are nocturnal. We are learning to co-exist and I am lucky my dog weighs over 100 lbs and is only mildly affected by this toad venom.


Put Extra Water Container Far From Dogs
Posted by Elliott (Wellington, Fl) on 05/18/2016

Lisa,

You are absolutely correct about using a washcloth to wipe the dogs mouth out. It may be somewhat difficult to open the dog's jaws wide enough to do this, but persist. It is fine to use a hose (not 'high' pressure water flow). The hose should be moved 'side to side' and not up and down. We don't want to wash the toxin down toward the dog's throat. Try to point the dog's snout somewhat downward while using the hose. This directs the water to just come out and drip to the ground (instead of being swallowed with the toxin). The wet washcloth is what the emergency vet recommended... just take a wet cloth and wipe the inside of the dogs mouth (cheeks, roof of mouth and tongue). Rinse out the cloth frequently. You need to do a thorough job and spend the time necessary to do this right... say 5-10 minutes maybe?? Then, watch the dog to see if gums are bright red and hot to touch, if still foaming and salivating profusely, pacing, etc. Don't take chances if the dog still seems distressed. You may not have a lot of time to get dog to vet in that case. Charcoal capsules may be helpful if the dog has actually ingested the toxin. I ALSO LOVE THE IDEA OF THE CAGE MUZZLE WHEN LEAVING DOG OUTSIDE!


Ted's Remedies
Posted by Jo (Fort Myers, United States, Dollar (usd)) on 07/28/2012

Dr D. H. Sorry to burst your bubble but they sure can! I encountered 4 large ones in my driveway one night, not my first encounter so I'm equipped with nets, etc to catch them, and proceded to try to catch as many as I could. One of them was about 6' from my garage door and released his toxin which shot up and literally splattered about 2/3 of the way up my door. I wouldn't count on them not being able to spray as I think you'll be wildly surprised! What I want to know is how do we eradicate them??? Jo in Ft Myers


Ted's Remedies
Posted by Ryoga2769 (Sanford, Flordia) on 12/04/2012

I see this all the time most toads people run into are normal ground toads. There slightly toxic dont let your dog eat one. Talk to your vet on what you should do if he does. Stop killing them. Cane toads are very diffrent though. It is easy to tell what kind of toads you have if they are small they are not cane toads. If they are the size of a small cat well that you have a problem.


Killing Toads
Posted by Melissa (Miami, Fl) on 09/30/2015

Hi all. We've always lived in Miami, but recently moved futher south to Cutler Bay, FL. We have a fairly large yard and after being here 4 months we had our first toad appearance 2 weeks ago. We have 3 huskies and they are have MAJOR prey drive. My oldest almost caught it, but I yanked her back and my friend got the other 2 inside with treats. Tonight we had another incident and I was able to stop them from getting to the toad (I was right next to them with a flashlight). Now my dogs are banned from their yard :(

When we first moved I had a feeling there would be more toads down south. I googled and found PestRid. I used the spray and granules within the first month of being here. It supposedly only lasts about a month, but since we hadn't seen any I didn't re-apply. I'm about to purchase it again, but wanted to know if anybody had any reviews on it?

First to catch this toad or (toads) before applying since they are clearly in our yard. This dogs are my KIDS. I would die if something happened to them :(

Killing Toads
Posted by Scott (Ft Lauderdale) on 08/21/2016

My Wheaten was in the ER in May and almost died. Full system shut down. 8 days in ER, and $16,000 later, he pulled through. Last week, same exact mystery reaction.

Yesterday I noticed a large toad in my back yard. (Unfortunately, my neighbor put in a pond a few months ago and now we have toads (frogs) everywhere.) The dogs have free access in and out to the yard via dog door. When I went to remove the swampy area where the toad was living, I noticed 15 or so teeny babies all hopping around. I am 100% sure this is something my boy would eat.

I found this article because I need to kill the toads in my yard and prevent them. I have removed the wet areas as best as possible, but I need to assure they are all dying and not coming back.


Killing Toads
Posted by Deb R (Naples, Fl) on 12/06/2016

We almost lost our Westie last week to a Cane Toad. There is a street light in our front yard, which I understand attracts them. I found Cane Toad droppings on our driveway a month ago. Not being from FL I had no idea about these toads. Next one I see is a dead one. I can't let my dog out the front door anymore. I wish the vets in FL would warn newcomers about these deadly toads.


Killing Toads
Posted by Heidi Knopp (Sunrise, Fl) on 07/23/2017

Line the base of your backyard fence with galvanized chicken wire go keep the toads out. I just did this today, and it seems to be working.


Killing Toads
Posted by Judy (Aruba) on 07/27/2017

I live in Aruba and we have the same problem here. My dog Bright likes to hunt and he had an encounter yesterday. Thank God we caught it in time, rinsed his mouth w a hose and got him to the vet for the anti venom. I found another toad today and tried to pour salt over it, as I was told this would kill it/ dry it up. Does any one know how long this takes, also if anyone has something that will get rid of them or deter them please share, it may be a matter of life or death.


Killing Toads
Posted by Jeanie (W. Palm Beach, Fl) on 08/18/2017

I moved to W. Palm Beach a couple months ago and learned this week of the dangers of the Cane toad on pets. She said one danger beside the toxin is using the waterhose to wash out the toxin, as the water can be forced into the lungs as well as poison and can also harm or kill them. So everyone please be careful!!


Killing Toads
Posted by Dan (Hawaii: Big Island) on 03/25/2018

I hate Bufo toads and have about an acre of property. Every year around April (our rainy season), they mate, so be highly vigilant this time of year. Citric acid works well at killing them and it will kill them within about 3 minutes as it breaks down their skin rapidly, and will destroy their ecoskeletal muscles. Puppies both large and small breed are too inquisitive when young, so be vigilant about guarding them. I have also laid down on border of red cedar mulch around our property which they hate. It fertilizes the perimeter and retains water well. It also serves as a strong deterrent to the toads. Follow the mouth flushing procedures if your pet grabs one and use a wet washcloth to wipe roof of mouth, gumline including teeth and throat area. 15 minutes isn't a lot of time to get to a vet, so be prepared to protect your loved ones, our pets!


Killing Toads
Posted by Tim (Port Saint Lucie ) on 06/01/2018

Around 2000 I almost lost a shar pei /rotti, if not for the quick thinking of a very smart gal he would not have survived as the Chinese half of him had already gave him a ruff start in life, it was very late and she grabbed the garden hose and aggressively rinse his face and mouth and dish cloth, he was almost dead the day I got him severely infested with ticks, and after that to almost die again from a Bufo, he lived over 15 years but every chance I get I kill Bufo I don't use chemicals as I don't want to kill other critters, they are nasty demon toads, last year I used mouse traps piece of dry dog food this you must supervise


Killing Toads
Posted by J (Panama) on 09/16/2018

Theresa, salt kills the toad quickly. We have then in our yard and we do a nightly Toad check. Any toads we can find are salted. While I know we will never get rid of all of them, this method has dismissed them greatly, the Great Dane goes out at night only under supervision after the yard has been checked and only to potty.


Snake Deterrent
Posted by Blondie (Boynton Beach, Florida ) on 04/27/2015
★★★★★

To deter bufo toads around the house and patio we've used a product called "snake a way", sold at Walmart and a similar product is sold at Home Depot with moth crystals. It doesn't keep all of them away but has deterred many. We live on a lake and have found them in the front yard, but have kept them out of the back.


Red Cedar Mulch
Posted by Joan (Florida) on 08/15/2018

Would like to know what ingredient is in red cedar mulch that is supposed to deter Bufo frogs.


Red Cedar Mulch
Posted by Theresa (Mpls., Mn) on 08/20/2018

Hey Joan,

I did a bit of research to see if cedar oil repelled toads and I could find nothing to support it. Cedar oil is known to repel insects. Let us know if you use it and if it works for toads please!


Mothballs
Posted by Amar (Trinidad And Tobago) on 01/02/2014

I hate those toads... Had d best fox beagle hounds a pair of brothers.. Normally I would lock them in d kennel at night time since these toads are a real problem on our 10 acre property... New years day one of them got out of his kennel and seems he bit a toad.. Came home to find him dead frothing at his mouth... Now his brother misses him alot... Going toad shooting later...


Flushing Mouth With Water
Posted by Mrsmike6 (Boynton Beach, Florida) on 02/24/2013

My question I suppose is what I have read a little about here. What can you do around the outside of your house? I read something about cedar? What else can you do? I have 2 mini dachshunds and am scared for them! I had a Bofu toad IN my garage this morning when I went out to get my newspaper! I took a long handled broom and ushered it outside. I will continue to go outside with my dogs to make sure it went away! What can I do outside my home to help keep them away OR make it unattractive to those creepy things. Thank You. Michaeleen

Muzzle
Posted by Rosalia (Virginia) on 04/27/2016

That is the most awesome and logical thing I ever heard, thank you, that's exactly what I'll do!!!!


Muzzle
Posted by Elliott (Wellington, Fl) on 05/18/2016

Jess... that is an awesome and elegantly simple solution. We have 3 rescue dogs and one has a part time job in the evenings: catching Bufo toads! I will order a 'cage' muzzle so that I can continue to let her out into the back yard at night! Thanks!!


Muzzle
Posted by Laurie (Kapolei, Hi) on 08/11/2016

I have a Westie who is very willful. I can't imagine her tolerating a cage muzzle, but it may be a solution.


Muzzle
Posted by Marcia (Juno Beach, Fl) on 09/06/2016

We recently moved to S Florida, but didn't know how dangerous and deadly these toads could be. My 16 year old Jack Russell grabbed a Bufo toad this morning. Shortly after, I saw him stumbling around. He had a history of seizures, but I knew this was different when he went into convulsions and his jaws locked.

I grabbed him up and headed for the nearest vet. Juno Vet Hospital is less than a mile away and when we burst in around 9 am, everyone there sprang into action administering anti-convulsants, some Valium, and oxygen. They continued to flush his system with IV fluids throughout the day. Around noon he was improving and was able to eat a full meal.

When they closed at 5 felt he was able to come home with me. He is resting and exhausted, but alive and his vision returned. The vets and staff at Juno Veterinary Hospital saved his life. And we had never even been there before. I rescued this little dog over 15 years ago, and the vets at Juno Veterinary Hospital rescued him again!


Muzzle
Posted by Barbara (Estero ) on 04/22/2018

Bufo Toads and Muzzling:

My two dogs are ShihTzu's and have tried in the stores and muzzles won't stay on them because they have no noses and can just paw it off. Any suggestions for an alternative???? Also, have any of you tried the Pest Rid granules and spray around the yard, etc. with results, yay or nay????


Muzzle
Posted by Chad (New York) on 08/23/2021

Thank you, this is what I was here for info on, can you post a pic of the muzzle? And would you say this worked extremely well? I was browsing and haven't yet come across a muzzle I think looks like a good fit.


General Feedback
Posted by Colleen (Wesley Chapel, Florida) on 06/20/2009

I was very lucky when one of my mini doxins bit a bofus toad.This was the first time I have ever heard of this toad. After the dogs went outside and got into there crates for the night I heard two of my dogs howling and crying. I go to there crates to see what was going on and my sallest younger doxie was laying on his back. He did not wag his tail when I came in the room and I knew some thing was wrong. He had already thrown up in his crate. I took him out and he was frozen in the fetal position with his eyes hardly open. The first thing I did was take off his colar then I wrinsed him off in the bath tub because he was covered in this sort of sticky slimy stuff I kept trying to open his mouth but he had lock jaw. Finaly I got his mouth open and made sure he wasn't chocking on something. I wraped him in a towel and kept rubing him to keep him warm. His mom came over and licked his nose and kept a watchful eye on him. A few mins. after that his stomach started to rumble. He threw up again. He started to come out of the sorta trance he was in. He also started to loosen up his body and move his legs and head. At that point I knew my praying would keep him here. About an hour after all this happened he was wagging his tail and showing the loving affection he all ways does. The next morrning he was still fine and ready to run out of the door to do his morrning duty but before I let them out I scouted the yard for more of those "killer toads" and found the one from the night before. It was dead with what looked like teeth marks on the top of his head and under the throat. I tell ya I was truly lucky that my dog survived. I love my Little Sabastian!

General Feedback
Posted by Jean Mazako (Port St Lucie) on 10/18/2017

Your lucky you baby survived. My Jack Russell was 21 pounds in about 15 minutes he was almost dead. I just got him to the Vet ER in time. He was convulsing already by the time I got him there. If it happens again don't wait get him to Vet ER immediately. The smaller the dog the bigger the risk of death. IF you think your dog is poisoned again take a wash cloth with water and pry open its mouth and wipe its gums. If you try to rince the toxin away it can wash down into the stomach and poison the animal anyway.


General Feedback
Posted by Kathy (Port Saint Lucie) on 07/28/2018

My yorkie also bit one. Luckily I knew to rinse his mouth with water and raced him to emergency vet! Have killed 8 so far, and my neighbors have killed 4. How can I get rid of them?


Vinegar
Posted by Marjorie (Sebring, Florida) on 08/30/2009

My Yorkshire Terrier got a Bufo Toad this morning - I had trouble getting it from him. I had to give him a piece of baked chicken which he grabbed and I grabbed that awful toad. I tried to flush his mouth out with water but only got a little when he had locked his jaws. I got an empty vitamin bottle dropper and tried rinsing his mouth with the dropper, sticking it in his mouth and wiping off the slime. I immediately shoved 1/2 Benadryl in his mouth. He did swallow it. I had called my vet. By this time he had gone into convulsions, had had bowel movements and was in a seizure. I held him, and prayed. The vet asked if I had any seizure medication - I had some of my own. Topamax Sprinkle caps. She heard him making sounds and said, give him a little of it - it can't hurt and it may save his life. So I pried open his jaws and sprinkled a tiny bit of the sprinkles in from the capsule. I sat and calmed him, massaging him and praying. Then when the convulsions had subsided I had to drive 45 minutes to get to an animal hospital. He was stiff and his eyes were fixed but the pupils were darting. They immediately put him on IV's, and did tests. His heart was okay. I don't know what all they did but my little dog survived. He is still at the hospital overnight to watch for seizure activity but when I visited him this afternoon he was alert, kissing me, stood up and walked some. It is a miracle and I honestly believe It was the prayer that saved him. He was dying. I wished I had known about the vinegar because honestly, trying to rinse water out of a dog's mouth who has been in contact with one of those toads is almost impossible.


Vinegar
Posted by Lita209 (Sanford, Fl) on 09/24/2009

I had no idea about these frogs until couple of years ago, when one Saturday I had some family visiting me and I let the dogs out in the backyard for a little while. Later I brought them inside and one of my nieces got my attention because she was laughing at Mitzy (my shiba Inu mix). When I looked at her she was trying to stay on a sitting position but couldn't. After seeing her facial expression (Yes my dog has facial expressions, don't ask me how but she does!) I knew something wasn't right. So I told everybody I was sorry but I had to leave to the vet ASAP. I put her on my car and by this time she is foaming on her mouth and her face was like she was drunk and finally got her to the vet (And all I could think of is that she ate poison, even though I don't use poison around the house). She was put on IV and then I took her home, the vet never knew what caused this (They even suggested that she was epileptic!). About 2 or 3 weeks after the incident I was watering my plants and I noticed her going from pot to pot and all of the sudden she stop and backed away from this pot and when I looked there was a beige with brown spots, round frog. Eureka!! This is how I found out about buffo frogs. I thank God that my reaction was to run with her right away to the vet. I also thank God for having found this website; now I know what to do if it happens again. Thank you EC and everyone that take their time to write.


Vinegar
Posted by Kayj (Lake Worth, Fl) on 11/06/2009

I have a two year old male terrier I heard a story about a woman losing two terriers to Bufo Frog poisoning, I am always cautious when walking my dog at night going as far as to carry a flash light to spot the frogs before he does. We were on the patio and suddenly I found him having seizures, I too rinsed his mouth and prayed and cried as my neighbor tried to do the same, she then took us to the emergency Vet, they had to give hom 10mg of Diazepam, propfol and kept him over night on an IV to flush with fluid.

I almost lost him. I look out for the frogs when walking. What I didn't expect was the frog to be on my patio. Today when moving a table several tiny frogs hopped about and 1 had been mangled and chewed up this in the very spot my dog went into seizures. I now know not to leave food out and plan to put aluminum panels along the 18" base where the screen is lose.


Vinegar
Posted by Annie Z (Boca Raton, Florida) on 11/30/2010

My dog has caught maybe 4 of these toads in the past year. We have reacted quickly to wash his mouth every time. The last time was the worst. He started walking around in circles and was dazed. We just rinsed his mouth and prayed. The vet was so far away too. Luckily, we removed the toxin and what he did ingest was not fatal. Well, My yard was swarming with the Bofu Toads or at least it used to be. I have taken drastic measures to make sure they stay OUT! One of my neighbors has a pond and another has a fountain. They breed in these "pools" and they even breed and hang out in the condensation created by AC units. I have put tons of stones where my AC pipes are and this prevents water from collecting so to speak. I also fenced in my yard and not my AC unit, so if they are by my AC they will stay there. Of course, fencing was not enough. I had to dig up a trench around my fence and put up chicken wire/grating by Tenax with the smallest holes all along my fence and gates. This has worked, but was painful at first since I trapped in some toads unknowingly and had to catch them, some had to be killed since it would turn into long sagas of chasing between bushes. The humane way to euthanize them is to freeze them, but that's just not always possible since catching them can be endless. I also reduced my garage and porch lights to 25 watts each, to not attract so many bugs. I keep my trash bin outside our fenced in area since these toads will go after any food. As far as I know, this has worked. A humane way to keep them out. When we go on our nightly walk, I keep my dogs on a tight leash. These toads are certainly killer toads to our pets. Beware and protect your yards. Do not leave your pets unattented. Do not!


Vinegar
Posted by Dannie Jean (Tampa, Florida) on 06/08/2012

My little black and white guy (Bichon/Poo) was barking at my bookcase today. At first, I thought nothing was there, then I saw it - a REALLY big toad. It was a lot bigger than my fist. I tried to catch it, but could not. After reading your information, I guess I'm glad I couldn't. Trouble is, it is still in my house... I keep listening for rustling noises. I hope I can get it out. The advise to throw a wet towel over it sounded like it might work if I see it again. Then I could call someone to come take it away. Thanks for all the good info, I will be on high alert from now on.


Vinegar
Posted by Mo ( Weston Florida) on 05/14/2015

This is horrible and extremely dangerous advice.


Vinegar
Posted by Chris (Qld, Australia ) on 07/11/2016

I can't say if the toads were exported from Australia as you're claiming, but I can tell you that they're not native here. They were introduced in the 1930's to attack cane borer beetles and are a despised plague in this country.

We certainly wouldn't export a problem like this. It's more likely that similar misguided fools to the ones who introduced them to Australia have taken them to Hawaii and Florida.

May those people rot in hell for their impetuousness and shortsightedness!

These horrible creatures are destroying our beautiful country.

It's not uncommon for me to go out onto the porch and see hundreds of these things just outside the door...on 10 acres we have literally thousands of them.

My dog is sick tonight from chewing on a dried corpse of one he found in the garden.

I pray he makes it through the night.


Vinegar
Posted by Suseeq (Sydney) on 07/11/2016

Sorry your dog is sick. Don't you mean cane toad? If this was my dog, I would call the vet and I would give vit c and charcoal tabs. I can't give you dosages as I don't know size of your dog. Wish you luck


Vinegar
Posted by Suseeq (Sydney) on 07/11/2016

Sorry your dog is sick. Don't you mean cane toad? If this was my dog, I would call the vet and I would give vit c and charcoal tabs. I can't give you dosages as I don't know size of your dog. Wish you luck

P.S. Just an after thought, Chris. Put your dog on forever vit c, it won't hurt him and will definitely help him if it ever happens again.


Vinegar
Posted by Alosha (Naples, Fl) on 10/01/2016

I live in Glen Eagle, in Naples off of Davis Blvd . I finally hired a gentleman to catch the toads. He caught 100 of them in two hours . He picks them up by hand, puts them in an empty 5 gallon paint bucket with lid, them takes them away and freezes them before disposal. He is licensed by the state. The next week he only caught 65 of them. I think he has helped keep the numbers down . He charged $60 per hour, worth every penny . The association has now hired him as well. I can tell you Lely resort and Lakewood has them as well.

make sure you wear a glove and don't touch your face.


Vinegar
Posted by Laura (Naples) on 01/25/2017

Alisha, would you share the name of that service? I live in Lely and could really use it. Thanks so much! Laura


Vinegar
Posted by Thomas Fitzgerald (Naples F) on 05/16/2018

What is the name of the service? we live in naples


Salt
Posted by Donna (Sunrise, United States) on 07/06/2008
★★★★☆

re: salt and bufu frogs

Actually, salt CAN work. Sometimes yes and sometimes no. You have to chase them and keep pouring it over them until they're totally covered. They may survice, they may die later and still be "out there" dead and somewhat poisonous. It's definitely worth trying but again there's always more.


Put Extra Water Container Far From Dogs
Posted by Karen (Saint Augustine, Florida) on 06/15/2007
★★★★★

I have two pointer mixes (60-70 lbs. each, I'm sure a smaller dog may not have been so lucky!) who have been "exposed" or bit the "bufo" toad. There was immediate foaming and I was able to make him drink alot of water. This has happened twice. I've since noticed as the summer is progressing the frogs getting trapped in the dogs outside water bowl. I deduced that by putting a container of water away from the area where the dogs go, the toads are trapped and moved away.

Put Extra Water Container Far From Dogs
Posted by Jean (Port St Lucie, Fl) on 06/10/2014

This weekend my male jack Russell got ahold of a bufo toad. We almost lost him. We did all the right things and got him to the vet in time. He was a overnight guest at the vets, but he is fine now. The vet told us, if you leave a bowl of water outside and the frog lays in it and then disappears and the dog comes up behind it and takes a drink, the dog can still be poisoned.


Ted's Remedies
Posted by Sarah (Boynton Beach, FL) on 12/07/2006

I don't let my dog out in my fenced backyard at night during the summer without escorting him because I've seen deadly poison bufo toads. I killed one, and it sprayed me with the milky secretions that would have killed my dog. Can you suggest anything that would keep bufos out of my yard? Thank you."


Ted from Bangkok, Thailand replies: "Dear Sarah: It takes only 15 minutes for a bufo toad poison to kill the dog, so you need to find a way to prevent that or at least give the dog some common home antidotes when a poisoning does occur that might help this problem.

The method of poisoning that bufo toads employs is the secretion by which it shoots at the victim up to 2 meters of the white liquid secretions called bufotoxin which is used in much smaller amounts to as a medicine to treat hepatitis B and also in the making of poisonous darts. Fortunately, the toad is only found in U.S. in Florida area.

I often believe that bufo toads in general do not attack its victim, but because we are getting in its way or know it is being attacked. Dogs and cats are commonly poisoned, but mostly dogs because they tend to bite or provoke the toads. One way to prevent the dogs to bite is to put a muzzle over the dog's mouth to the prevent dog from biting when it sees a toad. So the worst that can happen is that it will get the liquids sprayed into the eye of the dog, which can be washed immediately. The dog won't be poisoned as much as orally when biting the toads.

The other thing is to control the toad population and set a trap. One trap is to dig a hole in the ground and put a large bucket so that the height of the bucket reaches ground level - so a minimum of 5 gallons up. It should be high enough that the toads cannot jump out of the bucket. You can also use a much larger area to dig, like a baby tub, only that you have to dig a hole large enough so that the toads can fall.

The second thing is you need to get a light bulb well protected from rainwater so that it doesn't blow up the lightbulb where the thin wood stick out to the center of the large bucket or baby's tub. When you do set up the tub, be sure to apply plenty of motor oil so it will be very slippery that there is no way the can climb out.

Also make sure that the baby tub is steep enough that the toad cannot climb up. Whenever it reaches the night, the bugs will be attracted to the lights, and the bufo toads will see the bugs and attempt to jump on to the baby tub or the 5 gallon bucket. Make sure the tub of the baby tub exceeds or equal to about 10 inches. A giant toad can jump to the height of up to 10 inches. If it is not tall enough you may need to either dig a little deeper so that it is below the ground level, making the escape more difficult.

If at all possible, usually not, but clearing water from the ground and making it dry will keep the toads away through improving drainage.

In case of poisoning of toads, by a dog or cats a one possible antidote is plenty of vinegar plus some hydrogen peroxide 1% which can help, but won't neutralize everything as some have some vasoconstrictor elements in the bufotoxin venom poisoning. However, the easiest access of common remedies I can think of in dire emergencies that is everywhere appears to be only vinegar. So bathing plenty of vinegar might help. Raw white eggs, uncooked if eaten, might help and can be poured on the dogs mouth to suck up the toxins. Bentonite clay or activated charcoal in powder form is another possibility to suck up the toxin from the surrounding area. Whatever you do, you still need to send the dog to a vet who can further do treatment.

It is not a perfect antidote, but it is better than not do anything."

Ted's Remedies
Posted by Johnny (Orlando, Fl) on 06/03/2009

This article is BS !! Cane, Marine, or Bufo Toads CANNOT shoot or squirt toxin. Period. This is an old wifes tale. (Like porcupines being able to throw it's quills) Also these toads not only exist in South Florida but most of the Caribbean and South America.

Just don't eat one!
Dr J.H."


09/24/2009: Lita209 from Sanford, Fl replies: "I was born and raised in Puerto Rico (Caribbean) and the first time I have encountered a Bufo Toad has been here in Florida."


03/29/2011: Pd from Tampa, Fl replies: "These toads are all over florida. i live in tampa, in a residential area and do not have a pond or lake on property and they are all over our yard. we have six dachshunds and have had 2 of our dogs get the poisoning. lucky for us we were there to wash out mouths, etc immediately and they are ok. i do not like killing any animal and actually we work in dog rescue, but i can tell you 100% these are extremely dangerous to small dogs/cats and death is usually in 15-20 minutes if too much poison is ingested. we kill all bofu toads in our yard, typically by freezing them. at night and early morning, we have a small confined area where we let the dogs out and we walk the area first with a rake to try and make sure there are none there before letting the dogs out. but we have a frog gig handy just in case. this am, our female got one, we had to gig it, kill it and then rinse out the dogs mouth, luckily she was fine. i know it is not the frogs fault, natural defenses, etc. but i am not going to let them kill my pets... so i will do whatever it takes to kill any bofu that gets into my yard. just wish i could figure how to keep them out.


Ted's Remedies
Posted by Wolvi2004 (Wahiawa, Hi) on 03/28/2012

Bufo Toads live in Australia and in Hawaii... Look it up... I know about Hawaii because I live there and I have a couple of Bufo Toads that hide out in our plants and yard... None have excreted any of us and I handled one for quite away before I looked up what it was.. No longer will I touch them nor will my child but as long as we leave them alone they seem to be fine... They are not only located in Florida.


Ted's Remedies
Posted by Chloe (Naples, Florida) on 05/31/2018

You need to look it up! FLORIDA IS INFESTED WITH THEM. Now that summer is here its even worse. There are warnings all over. The LOCAL news, vets office. I just saw one bringing my trash cans back in garage. I just took my little dog out to go potty & was near where I took her. I have a large man made pond in back of my place & hear them nightly. Mating season. They were planted in the cane feilds & now are classified as a nuisance. They multiply more then rabbits & nothing eats them. GREAT!!!! I'm 25 min from nearest vet too.


Ted's Remedies
Posted by Trish (Jupiter, Fl, Usa) on 05/14/2012

My mini schaunzer bit a bufo toad Saturday evening. After $1000 vet er, she did live, but only made their with seconds to spare. I hate the damn toads, as both of my schnauzers have had run ins. My vet said they are protected? I have to get rid of these beasts.


Ted's Remedies
Posted by Silvercat (Naples, Florida) on 06/15/2012

I live in a senior citizens mobile home park and we have hundreds of these toads in the park, coming from a pond behind our homes. One elder lady was walking her small dog and it had contact with one and was dead within the hour. My daughter age (age 55) has been on a mission to eradicate these dangeous critters. She has trapped and eliminated over 50 of them in the past week. While on her "patrol" last night she stopped and rubbed her face with the gloves still on and this morning she woke up sick and is in bed with fever, aching muscles and nausea. We don't know if it's the reason but be very careful of letting the secretions on your flesh. We froze the carcasses for three days and then put them in a sealed plastic bag and put them in the trash containers. Just a word to the wise, be very careful!


Ted's Remedies
Posted by Annie (Salome, Az) on 09/16/2012

We have Bufo Alverious in the Sonoran desert in Arizona. My very small Yorkie got hold of one that was road kill. Toad jerky. She chewed on it a bit before I knew she had it. She threw up all night long, but was better in the morning. I had washed her mouth out and gave her a dose of Carafate that I keep for my other old Yorkie that has stomach problems, but she was still very sick. It happened on a Saturday night and we live no where near a Vet or Vet clinic. She is fine now, but I REALLY watch her when we go for a walk.


Ted's Remedies
Posted by Barbara (North Miami Beach Florida ) on 10/12/2016

My dashound was bitten by a Bufo toad. I almost lost him, he started crying and my son went outside and picked him up and I saw him foaming at the mouth. I wash his mouth with lots of water and took him to a vet he was crying in my lap of pain along with me we got to the vet he had a convulsion they gave him ivy and thank God he pulled. Through 650$ it cost me my son found a toad later and killed it but I got salt and put it in the yard. I'm going to get mulch. I hate these toads



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