Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Signs and treatment of Colorado river toad poisoning in dogs
By Wilkins, Anna et al.·Published in Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association·2026·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Clinical review of Colorado river toad (Incilius alvarius) intoxication in dogs in Arizona: clinical signs, treatments, and outcomes.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs in Arizona became sick after exposure to the Colorado river toad, showing symptoms like trouble breathing, heart issues, and neurological problems. Most cases occurred during the summer months, especially during monsoon season. Fortunately, nearly all of the affected dogs (99%) recovered after receiving supportive care and oral lavage (a procedure to flush out toxins). This incident highlights the importance of quick treatment if a dog is suspected of toad poisoning.
People also search for: dog toad poisoning symptoms · Colorado river toad exposure treatment · dog breathing problems after toad contact
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Review the clinical syndrome (clinical signs, treatment, and outcomes) of Incilius alvarius intoxication in canines. METHODS: Single-cohort retrospective descriptive study of 208 canines that presented to 4 private practice emergency veterinary hospitals for suspected toad exposure between July 2007 and October 2010. Electronic medical record review was performed on all canine patients presenting with known or suspected I alvarius exposure during the study period to extract data on demographics, clinical signs, interventions, and outcomes. RESULTS: The majority of I alvarius intoxications (174/208 [84%]) took place during summer, with 155 of 208 (75%) taking place during a monsoon. The most common clinical signs were neurologic in 182 of 208 (87.5%) dogs, respiratory in 160 of 208 (76.9%) dogs, and cardiac in 155 of 208 (74.5%) dogs. Prognosis was excellent, with 206 of 208 (99%) dogs surviving to discharge. CONCLUSIONS: Although potentially fatal, I alvarius intoxication usually has an excellent prognosis. The clinical syndrome and treatment are similar to that of Rhinella marina. Supportive care and oral lavage were the mainstays of therapy. Initiating oral lavage as soon as possible is recommended. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This is the first review investigating I alvarius intoxications in veterinary species and can guide approach and management of this condition.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41564560/