Veterinarians report rising emergency cases as invasive amphibians spread through residential areas
By Senior Staff Writer, Edmond Thorne: 08/27/2025 11:41 ESTFla. News Network —A silent, squatting danger is making its presence felt in Florida neighborhoods, leaving a trail of sorrow for pet owners.Veterinary clinics across Florida are reporting a marked increase in dog poisonings tied to cane toads, an invasive species whose toxin can kill a pet in minutes. The surge is most pronounced during the warm, rainy months, when the amphibians are most active. Hillsborough County Animal Control recently issued a public alert urging owners to supervise pets outdoors, especially at dawn, dusk, and after evening storms, when cane toads are on the move.
The American Kennel Club says the danger is immediate: “A dog can die in as little as 15 minutes if the toxin isn’t flushed from the mouth and veterinary care isn’t sought right away.”
What Vets Are Seeing:The symptoms of cane toad poisoning are not hard to miss once you know them. Veterinarians describe cases where dogs arrive at clinics drooling heavily, gums flushed a deep red, and bodies trembling or seizing. Vomiting, disorientation, and collapse are also common.…