Gold Coast dog owners warned to watch out for symptoms of cane toad poisoning

A Gold Coast woman has warned dog owners to be alert for cane toads after a terrifying incident involving her beloved pup Banjo. Here’s what happened.

A Gold Coast woman has warned dog owners to be aware of the symptoms of cane toad poisoning after a frightening incident involving her fur baby Banjo.

Julie Zannes-Dowker had just fed the Jack Russell and her other dog Matilda when the drama unfolded.

“It was probably about 7.30 on Sunday night,” Ms Zannes-Dowker said.

“I sat on the couch to watch the Australian Open tennis and the next minute he comes and sits next to me and he’s frothing at the mouth.”

Banjo then went outside and vomited a number of times.

“By this time I was starting to panic,” Ms Zannes-Dowker said. “I called him over to me but he wasn’t particularly interested in coming and I thought, ‘oh my goodness’.

“I raced inside to get a paper towel to clear his mouth and then he started with the thick drool that they get when they are poisoned.”

Julie Zannes-Dowker with her dogs Banjo (left) and Matilda at her Miami home. Picture: Glenn Hampson.

A short time later Banjo’s back legs “started to wobble”, before he began having a seizure. Only twenty minutes had passed since he first showed symptoms, but Banjo was starting to become paralysed.

With the help of a friend, Ms Zannes-Dowker rushed Banjo to the Animal Emergency Centre Gold Coast (AEC) at Varsity Lakes, where staff quickly went to work to save his life.

At 2am, she got the call she’d been waiting for, informing her Banjo was sitting up and eating.

Dr Fiona Hapelt, Veterinary Director at AEC Gold Coast, said the number of patients presenting with cane toad poisoning often doubles during summer, especially after rain.

“Cane toad poisoning is rare with cats, but when a dog bites or licks a cane toad, the toad secretes a potent and fast acting toxin from glands behind its shoulders, which sticks to the gums and tongue of the dog and is rapidly absorbed,” Dr Hapelt said.

“The toxin is harmful – it has hallucinogenic effects, and can have a serious impact on the heart, depending on the amount of toxin absorbed.”

Dr Hapelt said owners needed to be aware of symptoms which in addition to drooling and frothing at the mouth included red and slimy gums, pawing at the mouth, vomiting, disorientation and convulsions or seizures.

“It’s incredibly important that pet parents are aware of these signs because in severe cases of envenomation, cane toad toxin can be fatal,” Dr Hapelt said.

Thankfully, due to the quick action of his owner and the AEC veterinary team, that was an outcome Banjo avoided.

The 13-year-old is now back at home in Miami – and back to his usual happy and playful self.

“He’s fabulous, and handsome, and bright and cheeky,” Julie said. “Totally back to normal”.

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Originally published as Gold Coast dog owners warned to watch out for symptoms of cane toad poisoning