Beware Aussies! This Toxic Pest's Breeding Season Could Impact Your Health!
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This week brings an alarming garden discovery and a warning for Aussies this summer, as cane toad breeding season is now in full swing in many parts of the country.
A photo has been making waves on social media, showing a slimy, stringy mess hanging from a tree. The jelly-like strands, which are 'slippery to touch,' are extremely toxic cane toad eggs.
Cane toads are capable of laying as much as 25,000 eggs in one sitting, encasing their young in the sticky strands.
Unfortunately, these amphibians are an invasive species, mostly found in the northern parts of Australia and northern New South Wales (NSW).
The toads pose a very real health threat to native wildlife and animals, as well as a risk to pets if eaten.
'The female toads put a lot of poison into the eggs to discourage animals like fish from eating them,' Professor Rick Shine from Macquarie University told Yahoo News Australia.
'The poisons are not a problem for most invertebrates like ants and spiders, but are dangerous for almost any vertebrate animal that hasn’t evolved special abilities to deal with those poisons. Birds and rodents, for example, are generally OK, but dogs and humans are not.'
Aussies are also suggested to remove any cane toad eggs they come across as the eggs take only two or three days to hatch.
'Friendly reminder to everyone to check regularly around your place in any ponds, buckets, dog bowls, etc for cane toad eggs,' the post says, warning that toads have an uncanny ability to make it inside containers even with high sides.
The post also suggests, 'Cane toad eggs and tadpoles are TOXIC. Please avoid feeding them to fish or letting pets eat them, just the same as you would an adult toad. It’s far easier to get rid of the eggs than the adults!’
Just this month, Maroochydore Rd Vet Surgery, a Queensland-based veterinary practice, shared a post on social media about the health risk of toad toxins to pets. The clinic has treated 'hundreds of these cases,' and says it can be prevented with some easy steps.
'The toads release a toxin through their parotid salivary glands on their backs. When your pet grabs the toad in their mouth, this causes the toad to release the toxin, which then coats your pet's mouth,' the post says.
'These toxins affect the heart and central nervous system, causing heart arrhythmias, tremors, seizures, blindness and even death.'
Tips for your pets if frog poisoning has occurred
It's key not to underestimate a cane toad encounter and its potential side effects on your pet.
If your pet has come into contact with a cane toad, it's essential to immediately check for symptoms of poisoning. These may include drooling, head shaking, crying, excessively pawing at the mouth, and disorientation. If you're closely observing these signs, it can be the first step to preventing a fatal outcome.
If you believe your pet has had a toad encounter, immediately wash out your pet’s mouth with running water.
Ensure you angle the pet’s head downwards so water can exit the mouth, preventing the potential danger of water entering the lungs. Wash for at least 10 to 15 minutes; this can greatly help eliminate any lingering toxins.
While instinct might drive you to adopt a ‘wait and see’ approach, with toad toxin exposure, time is truly of the essence.
So, the next immediate step, after rinsing the mouth, is to take your pet to a vet immediately. Emergency treatments may include medications to control seizures, careful flushing of the toxin from the system, pain relief, and sometimes even a heart-starting medicine.
It's pertinent to remember that these steps don't replace professional medical help. Instead, consider them quick action measures that can be lifesaving while you go to the vet clinic.
Be alert, and stay the vigilant pet parents we know you are. Remain informed, keep the surroundings clean, and be ready to act quickly when needed. After all, vigilance and quick action are the best remedies to counter the perils of the notorious cane toad.
If you think your pet has toad toxicity, then please call your local vet and seek veterinary care immediately, or you could call Animal Poisons helpline.
What do you think of this story? Share with us your thoughts in the comments below!
A photo has been making waves on social media, showing a slimy, stringy mess hanging from a tree. The jelly-like strands, which are 'slippery to touch,' are extremely toxic cane toad eggs.
Cane toads are capable of laying as much as 25,000 eggs in one sitting, encasing their young in the sticky strands.
Unfortunately, these amphibians are an invasive species, mostly found in the northern parts of Australia and northern New South Wales (NSW).
The toads pose a very real health threat to native wildlife and animals, as well as a risk to pets if eaten.
Exposure to cane toad eggs can be a dangerous health risk to humans and animals. Image: Facebook
'The female toads put a lot of poison into the eggs to discourage animals like fish from eating them,' Professor Rick Shine from Macquarie University told Yahoo News Australia.
'The poisons are not a problem for most invertebrates like ants and spiders, but are dangerous for almost any vertebrate animal that hasn’t evolved special abilities to deal with those poisons. Birds and rodents, for example, are generally OK, but dogs and humans are not.'
Aussies are also suggested to remove any cane toad eggs they come across as the eggs take only two or three days to hatch.
'Friendly reminder to everyone to check regularly around your place in any ponds, buckets, dog bowls, etc for cane toad eggs,' the post says, warning that toads have an uncanny ability to make it inside containers even with high sides.
The post also suggests, 'Cane toad eggs and tadpoles are TOXIC. Please avoid feeding them to fish or letting pets eat them, just the same as you would an adult toad. It’s far easier to get rid of the eggs than the adults!’
Cane toads are common to the Northern part of Australia. Image: Business Queensland
Just this month, Maroochydore Rd Vet Surgery, a Queensland-based veterinary practice, shared a post on social media about the health risk of toad toxins to pets. The clinic has treated 'hundreds of these cases,' and says it can be prevented with some easy steps.
'The toads release a toxin through their parotid salivary glands on their backs. When your pet grabs the toad in their mouth, this causes the toad to release the toxin, which then coats your pet's mouth,' the post says.
'These toxins affect the heart and central nervous system, causing heart arrhythmias, tremors, seizures, blindness and even death.'
Tips for your pets if frog poisoning has occurred
It's key not to underestimate a cane toad encounter and its potential side effects on your pet.
If your pet has come into contact with a cane toad, it's essential to immediately check for symptoms of poisoning. These may include drooling, head shaking, crying, excessively pawing at the mouth, and disorientation. If you're closely observing these signs, it can be the first step to preventing a fatal outcome.
If you believe your pet has had a toad encounter, immediately wash out your pet’s mouth with running water.
Ensure you angle the pet’s head downwards so water can exit the mouth, preventing the potential danger of water entering the lungs. Wash for at least 10 to 15 minutes; this can greatly help eliminate any lingering toxins.
While instinct might drive you to adopt a ‘wait and see’ approach, with toad toxin exposure, time is truly of the essence.
So, the next immediate step, after rinsing the mouth, is to take your pet to a vet immediately. Emergency treatments may include medications to control seizures, careful flushing of the toxin from the system, pain relief, and sometimes even a heart-starting medicine.
It's pertinent to remember that these steps don't replace professional medical help. Instead, consider them quick action measures that can be lifesaving while you go to the vet clinic.
Be alert, and stay the vigilant pet parents we know you are. Remain informed, keep the surroundings clean, and be ready to act quickly when needed. After all, vigilance and quick action are the best remedies to counter the perils of the notorious cane toad.
If you think your pet has toad toxicity, then please call your local vet and seek veterinary care immediately, or you could call Animal Poisons helpline.
What do you think of this story? Share with us your thoughts in the comments below!
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