July 2009 Newsletter

Congratulations! T & L Rider won the contest for June!  They won a free visit!

Happy 4th of July!

Please read the following, it is very IMPORTANT!

My 5 pound Chihuahua got poisoned from a Bufo toad and thankfully received treatment in time.
It is taken from www.healthyhomesforkidsandpets.com

A common threat to south Florida dogs is poisoning from Bufo marinus, the giant or cane toad. This species of toad produces a pasty yellow- white toxin in the parotid glands, which extend from the head backward over the shoulder region and is released through pinhole openings in the skin. When a dog mouths or bites a Bufo toad the toxin is released and rapidly absorbed across the mucus membranes of the mouth.

Symptoms of Bufo poisoning occur suddenly and may include profuse salivation, vocalizing and pawing at the mouth, brick-red gums, in coordination or a stiff gait, difficulty breathing and the intoxication can rapidly progress to seizures and death.

The severity of the poisoning depends on the size of the dog and the amount of toxin absorbed into the blood stream. Puppies and small breed dogs such as Dachshunds, Mini-Pins, Jack Russell Terriers and miniature Schnauzers are more seriously affected because they get "more poison per pound" than a large breed dog.

Bufo toads are most active in the spring and summer months when it is warm and moist outside. They are also nocturnal; therefore most poisonings occur in the evening, late-night or early-morning hours. Poisonings can happen very quickly and even dogs being leash-walked have been known to grab a toad and be poisoned

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR DOG IS POISONED BY A BUFO TOAD.

Step 1) DO NOT PANIC!!! You need to be able to think clearly and act quickly to help save your pet. Panicking will only keep you from acting properly!

Step 2) IMMEDIATELY rinse the dog’s mouth out with a large amount of water using either a hose, kitchen sink sprayer, shower sprayer or water bottle. Rinse the mouth from side to side. DO NOT DROWN THE ANIMAL BY FORCING WATER DOWN ITS THROAT. The toxin is very sticky and may need to be gently rubbed off of the mucus membranes of the mouth. Be very careful so as not to get bit by your pet. Even the gentlest animal may bite if it is scared, in pain or having a seizure.

Step 3) calmly transport the dog to your veterinarian for further care. PLAN AHEAD! Save time in an emergency by preparing now. Keep the phone number of your veterinarian by the telephone. Since most poisonings occur at night CALL FIRST to make sure that the hospital is open, don’t waste time driving to a closed facility. Keep the phone number and address of a nearby emergency clinic near the phone too, in case your regular veterinarian is not available.