During observation and management in the ER, two patients developed cardiac arrest approximately 10–15 minutes after presenting to the ER (at 2 h and 4.5 h after toad ingestion). The EKG during cardiac arrest noted in the records showed pulseless electrical activity in two patients. We carried out a retrospective study of patients with toad poisoning from the Ramathibodi Poison Center Toxic Exposure Surveillance System during a 5-year period (2012–2016). People in certain parts of the world—China and Southeast Asia in particular—where toad secretions have been used as folk medicine and as an aphrodisiac are also at high risk. Severe poisoning has also occurred in rural populations where toads and toad eggs were eaten due to food scarcity. Pet owners can take precautions such as supervising pets when they are outdoors, keeping them on a leash, and removing any potential sources of attraction for toads, such as standing water.
In China, over 100 types of patented medicines contain toad ingredients, including notable products such as Liushen Pill, Chansu Pill, and Chan Su Analgesic Cream18,19,20. In the United States, toad toxin is also formulated into various aphrodisiac products like “Rock Hard” and “Black Cube”21. If poisoning is suspected, use a hose and run water in the side of the mouth, flushing the toxin out and not down the throat while pointing the head downward, UF recommends.
Toxin on the skin
Although they are native to Eastern Europe and Western Asia, fire-bellied toads are sometimes kept as pets in the US. 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.
Many patients will spend some time on oxygen and may also get IV fluids. Oftentimes, anti-vomiting medications are needed due to nausea or vomiting from the toxin. Some patients may require medications to help control cardiac arrhythmias and require ECG monitoring as well. Toad toxins are highly poisonous to cats and dogs, and many have been killed after grabbing the toads with their mouths. Symptoms of toad poisoning in pets include drooling, loss of coordination, head-shaking and convulsions. A total of 36 patients from 24 RPC telephone consultations were included; patient characteristics are summarized in Table 1.
It’s best to err on the side of caution and prevent pets from coming into contact with any toads. Toad venom acts on gastrointestinal smooth muscle, enhancing peristalsis and thereby inducing nausea and vomiting. It also amplifies the action of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine, which stimulates the central nervous system and can lead to headaches. 5-MeO-DMT, a component of toad venom, interacts swiftly with the 5-HT1A receptors in the central nervous system. This interaction triggers a range of acute subjective reactions, including distortions in visual, auditory, and temporal perception, alongside intense emotional experiences and memory impairments. Additionally, toad venom targets the NKA on myocardial cell membranes, inhibiting their activity, which may result in arrhythmias.
Poisoning from Frogs, Newts, Toads, and Salamanders
In summary, toad poisoning in pets can be a serious and potentially life-threatening condition. Pet owners should be aware of the signs of poisoning and take precautions to protect their furry friends from encountering toxic toads. By understanding the risks and being proactive in preventing exposure, pet owners can help keep their pets safe and healthy.
However, the antidote might not be required in all instances of toad poisoning, especially for ingesting the animal itself rather than the processed or dried toxin. Further study and more patient data are needed to determine the specific indications for and doses of DsFab for toad poisoning. Most of our patients ate toads; therefore, toad consumption might be a local tradition for some people—not only Thai but also other people of Asian ethnicity in Thailand. Therefore, toad poisoning is an important health problem in Thailand, also causing fatalities. Public education on the awareness and seriousness of toad toxins could be a useful public health measure and might play an important role in the prevention of this kind of poisoning. 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.
General data, clinical symptoms and treatment
Toad venom, a constituent of an aphrodisiac, was considered responsible for the development of clinical manifestations and death in this patient. Digoxin specific Fab fragment has been reported to be beneficial in the treatment of toad venom poisoning. This report alerts physicians to the need to be aware of a new community toxic exposure, as prompt treatment with digoxin specific Fab fragment may be life saving. The treatment approach to patients with suspected toad venom poisoning is described.
Cane toad toxin in alternative medicines
Effective early interventions include the administration of emetics, gastric lavage, and stabilization of vital signs, along with timely management of shock, electrolyte imbalances, and cardiac arrhythmias. Gastric lavage, commonly used in treating toad toxin poisoning, should be performed promptly while concurrently maintaining vital signs. This procedure must ensure normal blood oxygen saturation levels, with oxygen supplementation provided as necessary52. Hemoperfusion stands out as an important treatment modality for toad toxin poisoning, capable of rapidly and effectively removing various toxins from the body, thereby minimizing toxic effects on organs and tissues. Continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) is another effective option53. The comprehensive elimination of toad toxin is best achieved through a combination of treatments such as gastric lavage, catharsis, and CRRT.
Colleges That Allow Pets In Dorms
All patients received supportive with/without symptomatic care. 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 study was performed to describe the clinical characteristics and outcomes of patients with toad poisoning in Thailand. Amphibians—frogs, newts, toads, and salamanders—are equipped with defense mechanisms deserving of much caution.
- Historically documented in ancient Chinese medical texts, such as the “List of Famous Doctors,” toads have long been valued for their medicinal properties8.
- Abnormal vital signs recorded at the hospital arrival in our data included bradycardia in 12 patients (33.3%), tachycardia in one (2.8%), and hypotension in seven (19.4%).
- GI symptoms and bradycardia were commonly seen in patients with toad poisoning; severe cases can be fatal.
- Pet owners should remain vigilant and take precautions to protect their pets at all times.
- Symptoms of toad poisoning can appear quickly after exposure, usually within minutes to hours.
- Typically, individuals poisoned by toad toxin begin exhibiting toxic reactions within 30–60 min post-ingestion, implying the acute nature of this toxic substance.
Two patients reported that they had underlying diseases (one with schizophrenia and the other with an unspecified psychiatric condition). symptoms of toad poisoning in humans Should pet owners be concerned about toad poisoning year-round? Toad poisoning can occur year-round, depending on the climate and the presence of toads in the area. Pet owners should remain vigilant and take precautions to protect their pets at all times.
- Moreover, no tachyarrhythmia was detected in any of our patients.
- Given the toxin’s propensity to cause severe cardiac conduction disturbances, careful monitoring and adjustment of treatments are crucial.
- Two patients reported that they had underlying diseases (one with schizophrenia and the other with an unspecified psychiatric condition).
- The sooner treatment is initiated, the better the prognosis for the pet.
- Despite the recognition of toad toxin’s toxicological profile, standardized treatment protocols for toad poisoning remain undefined.
Other notable routes included ingestion of toad eggs (15%), consumption of alcohol infused with toad skin (1.67%), and intake of toad bile (1.11%). Further exposure occurred through aphrodisiacs derived from toads (3.88%), consumption of tadpoles (1.67%), toad skin secretions (1.11%), and direct consumption of toad skin (1.11%) (Table 1). It is known that toad possesses several toxic substances in the skin and parotid glands. In the past, toad-venom poisoning had been reported from ingestion of toad soup, Kyushin and aphrodisiac pills, but the poisoning from toad eggs is observed for the first time. The case of a healthy female who had previously eaten toad soup twice without any discomfort is reported.
