The data are not available for public access because of patient privacy concerns but are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
What do I do if I see my dog get a toad?
If irritation persists then seek help from your physician or emergency room. The toxin can also cause skin and eye irritation in humans who handle the toads. So not only do they compete with native toads for breeding space and feeding grounds, but they also eat a variety of native wildlife. Cane toads also eat anything from bugs and native frogs and toads to snakes, small birds and mammals.
Medical
- Bodies of water such as lakes and ponds are also very common places to find heavy toad populations since this is where they breed and lay their eggs.
- Treatment for toad poisoning in pets may include decontamination, supportive care, and medication to manage symptoms.
- The primary objective was to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes in patients with toad poisoning in Thailand during the 5-year period.
- The abnormal EKGs at presentation showed sinus bradycardia in most patients with bradyarrhythmia in a few patients.
- In other words, most dogs with seizures from toads often look stiff.
- However, symptoms in both dogs and cats may become more severe at higher dosages, and if not treated immediately can be fatal.
- Not all toads produce toxic secretions, but it can be difficult for pet owners to distinguish between toxic and non-toxic species.
Additionally, a portion of the cases were due to intentional consumption of toads or toad-derived products for medicinal purposes. Symptoms of toad poisoning can appear quickly after exposure, usually within minutes to hours. It’s vital for pet owners to act promptly if they suspect their pet has encountered a toxic toad. Are there specific regions where toad poisoning is more common in pets? Toad poisoning can occur in any region where toxic toads are found. Pet owners should be vigilant regardless of where they live and educate themselves on the signs of poisoning.
Life‐threatening episode after ingestion of toad eggs: a case report with literature review
- Supportive, symptomatic care might be the main therapies for this poisoning, especially if DsFab is not available.
- Cardiovascular symptoms are primarily driven by bufadienolides40.
- Although they are native to Eastern Europe and Western Asia, fire-bellied toads are sometimes kept as pets in the US.
- If poisoning is suspected, use a hose and run water in the side of the mouth, flushing the toxin out and not down the throat while pointing the head downward, UF recommends.
- The medical history was obtained from patients as reported to medical personnel; therefore, sometimes this information might not be clear or completely accurate.
A heart rate below 40 beats per minute raises concerns for asystole, necessitating immediate preparations for defibrillation, pacing, and tracheal intubation. In instances where atropine fails to resolve atrioventricular block, isoproterenol may be administered intravenously. The management of vital signs and the prompt treatment of shock, electrolyte imbalances, and cardiac arrhythmias are critical to improving outcomes in cases of toad toxin poisoning (Table 3). This approach underscores the urgency and complexity of treating such severe toxicological emergencies.
Six people believed they had eaten frog soup, but actually, they had eaten toad. Two hours after eating toad soup, they began to experience dizziness and gastrointestinal upset, and two of them experienced altered consciousness. One elderly male (case 1) died before arriving at a hospital, and five patients were sent to the emergency department at our hospital. Three patients were intubated with an endotracheal tube during the cardiac arrest resuscitation. None received cardioversion or defibrillation during admission.
Description of included studies
It’s best to err on the side of caution and prevent pets from coming into contact with any toads. Toad venom acts on gastrointestinal smooth muscle, enhancing peristalsis and thereby inducing nausea and vomiting. It also amplifies the action of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, which stimulates the central nervous system and can lead to headaches. 5-MeO-DMT, a component of toad venom, interacts swiftly with the 5-HT1A receptors in the central nervous system. This interaction triggers a range of acute subjective reactions, including distortions in visual, auditory, and temporal perception, alongside intense emotional experiences and memory impairments. Additionally, toad venom targets the NKA on myocardial cell membranes, inhibiting their activity, which may result in arrhythmias.
Data Sharing Statement
Toad venom, a constituent of an aphrodisiac, was considered responsible for the development of clinical symptoms of toad poisoning in humans manifestations and death in this patient. Digoxin specific Fab fragment has been reported to be beneficial in the treatment of toad venom poisoning. This report alerts physicians to the need to be aware of a new community toxic exposure, as prompt treatment with digoxin specific Fab fragment may be life saving. The treatment approach to patients with suspected toad venom poisoning is described.
Case Report: Clinical Presentation of Toad Venom-Induced Cardiac Intoxication
A 29-year-old man swallowed a 20-cm (about 8 in) newt on a dare. Within minutes, he complained of tingling of his lips, which progressed to numbness and weakness of his entire body over the next 2 hours. Although he stated that he thought he was going to die, he refused to be transported to a hospital. He then collapsed and went into cardiac and respiratory arrest. He was resuscitated and given respiratory support, but his pupils were dilated and fixed. A brain study confirmed that he had no brain function, and he was pronounced dead later the same day (from Bradley & Klika, 1981).
A healthy man developed gastrointestinal symptoms after ingesting purported aphrodisiac pills. He had severe unrelenting bradycardia, hyperkalaemia, and acidosis. He rapidly developed severe life threatening cardiac arrhythmias and died after a few hours. He was found to have positive serum digoxin concentrations, although he was not taking digoxin. Toad venom poisoning is similar to digitalis toxicity and carries a high mortality. Cardiac glycoside poisoning can occur from ingestion of various plants and animal toxins, and the venom gland of cane toad (Bufo marinus) contains large quantities of cardiac glycosides.