It’s monsoon season in Arizona, so keep an eye out for Colorado River Toads, aka Sonoran Desert Toads. These toads have smooth, leathery skin that is olive green or mottled brown in color, yellow eyes, and several glands that produce toxins. Dogs that bite Colorado River Toads can suffer paralysis or even death.
If your dog comes into contact with a Colorado River toad or you suspect your pet has been exposed to the toad’s poison, you’ll need to take immediate action.
- Contact an emergency veterinarian immediately and follow their instructions.
- Flush the affected area (mouth or eyes) with water as follows: Run water from one side of the mouth to the other, making sure the water runs out of your pet’s mouth. If water rushes into your dog’s mouth, it’ll push the poison into your pet’s stomach, worsening the poisoning. This can also put pets at risk of drowning.
More information can be found here: https://adobevetcenter.com/colorado-river-toads
