Toad venom poisoning: resemblance to digoxin toxicity and therapeutic implications PMC

Although this is not true, this saying is predominantly meant to deter young and inquisitive enthusiasts from interacting with toads for their safety. While not all toads can pose serious risks for amphibian lovers, some toads can be severely toxic to humans. Similar to the toad and frog comparison, all newts are a type of salamander, but not all salamanders are newts. Frogs tend to have longer legs and smooth, moist skin while toads have shorter legs and dry, rough skin. The drier, rougher skin of the toad allows it to thrive on land while frogs are more likely to be found near water. A frog’s longer legs allow it to hop, whereas a toad, with its slightly shorter legs, tends to walk on land.

Are all species of bufo toads poisonous to humans, or only certain ones?

Keep an eye out for any signs of toads and avoid touching or picking them up. If you have pets, it is important to supervise them while outdoors and prevent them from coming into contact with bufo toads. Most such dog and amphibian encounters only cause temporary mild symptoms, including drooling or vomiting. Toads are slow-moving amphibians that move in erratic ways, making them an irresistible target for many predators. This includes your dog, which may want to eat the toad or merely play with it.

Benefits of Toads in Ecosystems

The fire-bellied toad (Bombina species) gets its name from its bright red, yellow, or orange underside. It secretes two types of toxins that can cause varying degrees of irritation in humans. Amphibians are cold-blooded vertebrates comprised of frogs, newts, toads, and salamanders (caecilians are amphibians but are not known to pose a risk to humans). The name amphibian is it safe to drink coffee with adderall comes from the Greek term amphibios, which means “double life.” This is to reflect that they live in both land and water. For the initial laboratory results, the mean of the initial potassium recorded in 27 patients was 4.2 mEq/L. From the data of 32 patients, four and five had hyperkalemia (range 5.5–7.7 mEq/L) and hypokalemia (range 2.8–3.48 mEq/L), respectively.

What Are the Signs of Toad Toxin Exposure in Humans?

TTX-containing newts are found in Oregon, California, and southern Alaska. Any brightly colored, rough-skinned newt or salamander likely contains TTX. GI symptoms were the most common clinical presentation and occurred very early in our patients (within 8 h) after ingestion. This finding was consistent with other reports.8,13,15 molly: uses effects risks Therefore, GI symptoms could represent the early manifestation of this poisoning and alert physicians to admit and observe these patients. Capturing wild animals is not advised, as this disrupts local ecosystems. In addition, amphibians may naturally harbor Salmonella and spread it to humans and other pets.

How do toads store their toxin?

Several mushroom species (such as Tricholoma and Russula) are responsible for delayed muscle breakdown (rhabdomyolysis), which is fatal in some cases. There is no specific treatment, so doctors concentrate on treating specific symptoms and making people comfortable. Gyromitra mushrooms also cause delayed vomiting and diarrhea and a low blood sugar level. Other problems include brain toxicity (such as seizures) and, after a few days, liver and kidney failure.

However, localized threats like habitat loss, pollution, and disease can impact specific populations in smaller areas. We’re a website dedicated to helping reptile owners and enthusiasts care for their beloved pets. Our team of experts has years of experience researching, caring for, and solving any issue that may come up with your reptiles. The composition of sub-compounds in each toad’s unique bufotoxin mix can vary greatly. This allows the fast-acting toxin to directly enter the body and begin its wicked work.

1. A total of 36 patients from 24 RPC telephone consultations were included; patient characteristics are summarized in Table 1.
2. This has resulted in an increased likelihood of human encounters with these toxic toads.
3. We performed a 5-year retrospective study (January 2012–December 2016) using data collected from the RPC Toxic Exposure Surveillance System, which is the database of our poison center.
4. Other problems include brain toxicity (such as seizures) and, after a few days, liver and kidney failure.

If a person or animal comes into contact with this secretion, they may experience symptoms such as burning or stinging sensations, skin irritation, and even numbness or paralysis. The toxins can also cause more severe symptoms if they are ingested or if they enter the bloodstream through a wound. Fortunately, most dogs with toad poisoning will only become mildly ill and will fully recover with quick treatment to rinse the toxin away as much as possible.

A healthy man developed gastrointestinal symptoms after ingesting purported aphrodisiac pills. He rapidly developed severe life threatening cardiac crack addiction symptoms and treatment arrhythmias and died after a few hours. He was found to have positive serum digoxin concentrations, although he was not taking digoxin.

If that’s not gross enough, they also have large triangular glands behind their heads that excrete a highly toxic white goo when the toads are stressed or grabbed. The innocent and curious nature of children and pets make them high risk, and we should always protect pregnant women, people over 65 years of age, and those who are immunocompromised. Anyone who handles an amphibian without proper training or precautions, eats them, or mishandles them in any way, is at high risk. Exposures resulting from dares or bets have caused deaths (see This Really Happened). As long as your pet is conscious, rinse their mouth out with water for five to 10 minutes using a hose or other running water. Be sure to point the hose nozzle from the back of the mouth, to the nose with your pet’s muzzle down so that the water runs out the front of their mouth.

If you suspect that your dog or cat has had contact with an American toad or ingested one, it is essential to act quickly. Immediately rinse their mouth with running water to remove any toxin residue. Avoid directing water down their throat, as it can lead to aspiration pneumonia. Contact your veterinarian promptly for further guidance and to determine the best course of action. In conclusion, bufo toad poisoning is a serious risk that can be mitigated by taking appropriate precautions and safety measures. Bufo toad poisoning in humans can range from mild symptoms to severe illness or even death.

If there is no clinical response in 30 minutes to one hour, dosing with 190–380 mg should be repeated. These toxins can cause a range of symptoms in humans, including nausea, vomiting, and even heart failure. Yes, common toads secrete toxins from their skin, but they are not considered dangerous to humans. Awareness of its clinical toxicity, leading to digoxin-like cardiovascular and gastrointestinal effects, is necessary. Increased vigilance and prompt initiation of life supportive measures with definite treatment with digoxin specific Fab fragments can be life saving. If a person were to ingest a toad, they would likely suffer a similar intensity of symptoms, up to the severity of even death.

However, toxicity effects can also vary between cases, meaning that people may experience varying toxicity levels or side effects after poisoning. First, the study was retrospective and based on data obtained from telephone consultations; therefore, some data might be incomplete. The medical history was obtained from patients as reported to medical personnel; therefore, sometimes this information might not be clear or completely accurate. Finally, no laboratory test was performed to confirm the identity of the specific toad toxin. Every year, patients with toad poisoning are referred and consulted to the Ramathibodi Poison Center (RPC). The present study was performed to describe and clarify the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with toad poisoning in Thailand.

This is dangerous, though, because toads can secrete toxic poison through their skin, meaning your pup is at risk of toad poisoning if it eats, licks, or chews on a toad. However, you do need to be careful when handling them because the toxic secretions from their parotid glands can irritate the skin and mucous membranes. If you come into contact with the toad’s skin secretions, clean the affected area thoroughly with soap and water.