A retrospective study of cane toad (Rhinella marina) toxicity in 190 domestic cats in Southeastern Queensland: Clinical presentations, treatments, and outcomes

Abstract

Objective To report the clinical presentations, treatments and outcomes of toad toxicity in domestic cats in Southeastern Queensland, Australia. Methods This report describes a retrospective study of 190 cases of cane toad (Rhinella marina) toxicity in cats in south‐eastern Queensland, Australia. All cases were presented for veterinary treatment between 2011 and 2020 at four specialist veterinary emergency centres in Southeast Queensland, Australia. Cane toad toxicity was diagnosed based on a history of exposure and clinical signs. Results Domestic short‐hair breeds accounted for 53.6% of the cases. Presentation was seasonal with the highest incidence over the warmer months of the year (November – March). Hypersalivation was described in 96.3% (183/190), tachypnoea in 34.2% (65/190) and altered behaviour in 18.4% (35/190) of cases. Seizures occurred in 1% of cases. Of the 190 cases, 6.3% (12/190) were hospitalised and 0.5% (1/190) were euthanised and overall 99.5% (189/190) survived hospital discharge. Clinical significance Cane toad toxicity is relatively common in cats in Southeast Queensland and following buccal lavage the prognosis for recovery was excellent.

Clinical care and treatment of a dog intoxicated by frog (Rhinella marina) poison

“…Em casos moderados, temos também vômitos, depressão, fraqueza, ataxia, sinais neurológicos como andar em círculo, alteração do ritmo cardíaco, evacuação e micção espontânea. Em casos graves, pode haver diarreia, dor abdominal, decúbito esternal, pupilas não responsivas à luz, convulsões, edema pulmonar, cianose, podendo evoluir para óbito (Gadelha et al, 2015;Gadelha & Soto-Blanco, 2012;Keomany et al, 2007;Leong et al, 2023;McFarland, 1999;Reeves, 2004).…”