Bufo Toad Toxicosis

Bufo Toad Toxicosis



Basic Information image



Definition


Exposure to Bufo spp. toads may result in the acute onset of severe cardiovascular and neurologic signs.



Synonym(s)


Cane, giant, or marine toad (Bufo marinus), Colorado River toad (Bufo alvarius)



Epidemiology



Risk Factors


Most cases in the literature describing Bufo toad intoxications involve dogs and cats rather than horses and other large domestic animals. Although young or curious horses might mouth Bufo toads, a more likely route of exposure for most horses is the contamination of food or water sources by live or dead toads.



Geography and Seasonality




• Bufo toads are primarily found in Florida, Texas, Colorado, Arizona, and Hawaii.


• These toads breed during warmer, wetter months and tend to hibernate during the colder, dryer months, making wintertime exposures less likely. Toads appear to be most active around dusk and at night and after rainstorms.



Clinical Presentation



History, Chief Complaint


Oral contact with a Bufo toad is rapidly followed by hypersalivation, tachypnea, and disorientation. Severe exposures may progress to seizures, collapse, and cardiac arrhythmias.



Physical Exam Findings




• In addition to hypersalivation, hyperemic oral mucous membranes may also be observed.


• Horses should be examined for cardiovascular and neurologic abnormalities. Neurologic abnormalities reported in dogs include seizures, stupor, ataxia, nystagmus, opisthotonos, and extensor rigidity.



Etiology and Pathophysiology




• Many biologically active compounds, including dopamine, epinephrine, norepinephrine, serotonin, bufotenine, bufagenins, bufotoxins, and indolealkylamines, are secreted from the toad’s large parotid glands. These compounds are readily absorbed across mucous membranes or through open wounds.


• Bufotenine is a pressor substance that may have hallucinogenic properties.


• Bufagenins and bufotoxins are cardiac glycosides that cross-react with digoxin, binding to and inhibiting Na/K-ATPase. These changes inhibit normal myocardial conduction and function.

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Jul 24, 2016 | Posted by in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Bufo Toad Toxicosis

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