Finally caught the offending amphibian

[High Roost Ranch]

Last summer, we lost our Dogue de Bordeaux to Cane or Bufo toad poisoning. Never did find the toad. A couple of months ago, I spotted in the dark what I thought was the toad, it was hugely large and very fast. I couldn't catch it after it went underneath the chicken coop. Well luck was on my side, and not the cane toad's, tonight. My daughter went out to empty the kitty litter box, and when she was walking back past the duck pens, she spotted a huge toad. She dropped the litter box over it and ran to get me. I scooped it up in a bucket, and brought it up to the house to make darn sure it was in fact the cane toad I had been searching for. They're an invasive species here in Florida, so finding their identification site wasn't hard at all. Identified, I took some photos (the ones posted here) and then permanently disposed of the toad. I felt bad, but it was a necessary evil. Take a look at how big this thing is. They have glands that excrete highly poisonous toxins, all it takes is a dog to mouth the toad and it's fatal unless they receive quick and aggressive treatment.

You can see on the glands behind the eyes the white toxins (looks like white foam) the toad is excreting. Hence the need for gloves.

One less Bufo toad to worry about with the Pomeranians.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

How neat, I didn't even know about this species of toad and the dangers they pose! It was a sad night for the toad, but invasive species can be nasty things. Glad you were able to catch him!

 

[key west chick]

Growing up in Key West we had them all over. I hated them, yucky things. They can grow to be HUGE! Glad you got him.

 

[BTufts]

So sorry about your dog!

Glad you caught the bugger though! Wow. I live in New England so I've never seen a toad that big!!

I work at a veterinary clinic and we've seen several cases of mushroom poisioning but the toads and frogs we have up here are harmless. They just cause a LOT of drooling.

 

[High Roost Ranch]

I'm trying to tell myself I don't feel bad about doing what I did to it. I've never killed anything larger than a fly on purpose before just to get rid of it. I was so tempted to take it out to the swamp and release it, but for the greater good, I just couldn't do it. So I'll feel guilty for a few days. That's life I guess. I just have to keep thinking what my poor dog suffered. And not letting it live to harm the Poms I still have or the other species of natural toads. The other day one of the pups was playing with a tree frog. That could have been the toad.

So a big thank you for the understanding. And yes, I've been in Florida since Dec. '02, haven't in all this time seen one. Now I won't forget it, LOL.

 

[The Wolf Queen]

Whats a Dogue de Bordeaux? What kind of dog is it?

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

Having grown up in Florida and seen the harm bufos can do I really hope you don't feel guilty. I know of many dogs that lost their lives because of those creatures. I was lucky and was able to rinse my pekinese mouth out with water right away, but I know many dog owners that weren't so lucky. Ask any vet in the state how many dogs died from them. I say congratulations on a job well done.

 

[BluegrassSeramas]

Sorry about your pup and glad you got the little monster!

 

[ISSOLA]

Wow - that's a big toad. Were you concerned that by pressing the toad at the glands, that it could squirt stuff out? I "played" with toads before (not these species) and some squirts accidents have happened. Well - not exactly "played," but catch them for classwork when I was a kid.

Thanks for the pics, and educational information. Sorry you lost your dog....

 

[High Roost Ranch]

Dogue de Bordeaux, aka French Mastiff, aka Turner & Hooch dog.

I sure miss her.

Yes, I was concerned about getting the toxin on me, that's why I put the gloves on. It did "squirt" once, when I first tried to keep it from leaping out of my hand, thankfully it was at an extended arm's length.

We have a bunch of toads here, they come at in the evening. You have to watch where you walk so you don't step on them all. I found a bunch of normal american toads this morning early but no more cane toads. Thank gosh.