Cane Toads Kill Five Dogs In A Week

Subject: Cane Toads Kill Five Dogs In A Week Sat Jul 19, 2008 9:28 am

Cane Toads Kill Five Dogs In A Week

PETS are increasingly falling victim to the beastly cane toad.

The Northern Territory News has learnt at least five dogs have died after chomping on one of the ugly creatures in the Top End this week.

One was a small Jack Russell whose owner says died "within five minutes''.

And vets have said they are seeing an influx of dogs - and some cats - that have been affected by a toad's lethal toxin.

University Vet Hospitals Rebecca Fears checks Wallaces heart. The dog spent five days clinging to life after cane-toad poisoning

At the University Ave Vet Hospital in Palmerston two dogs suffering toad poisoning have been treated in a matter of a few days.

Vet Veronica Monaghan said the problem was "getting worse'' with at least one dog taken to the surgery each week and many more phone calls from owners fearing their pets have eaten a toad.

Mike and Vicki Milton's west highland terrier Wallace was rushed to the clinic after he was found with a toad in his mouth at their Knuckey Lagoon home on Sunday night.

Dr Monaghan said when the five-year-old arrived he was in a "bad way'' and they did not hold much hope of him surviving.

She said his mouth was clamped shut, he was having seizures and his eyes were flickering.

"He was completely out of it and we did not think it was going to be a very good outcome,'' she said.

"But his owners love him and were prepared to pay whatever it would cost to try and save him.''

Wallace was put in intensive care for three days where he was in a coma and on medication to combat swelling on the brain.

When he woke he had his sight and hearing, but had lost all function in his legs and could not stand or walk.

But Dr Monaghan said he is on the road to recovery with physio therapy and she is hopeful he will be back on his feet in about six weeks.

She warned other pet owners to be wary of toads.

"I don't think people realise how lethal the toxin can be - it can kill an animal ... in minutes,'' she said.

Mr Milton, 52, praised the vet clinic for its "fantastic'' effort in saving Wallace, who was a Valentine's Day gift for his wife in 2003.

The Defence project director said Wallace, who was "a part of the family'', was simply "lucky''.

"I didn't know a cane toad could knock a dog down in 20 minutes and kill it,'' he said.

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