During the monsoon season Sonoran Desert Toads, also known as Colorado River Toads, emerge from the ground. These toads secrete a poisonous slimelike fluid. When these toads emerge, dogs may catch them, holding the toads in their mouths, but the toad’s toxin can be deadly to dogs.
Symptoms of toad poisoning include: excessive salivation, foaming at the mouth, head shaking, irritated gums, drunken gait, confusion, heart arrhythmia, vomiting, diarrhea and weakness or collapse.
Sources:
“Humane Society has toad-avoidance class.” Arizona Daily Star. July 1, 2008. Page E2.
Amphibians, Arizona Ecological Services, Southwest Region.
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