Seeing your dog vomit after eating something unusual like a frog can be scary. If your beloved four-legged friend ate an amphibian and can’t seem to keep anything down, quick action is required.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Contact your vet immediately if your dog ate a frog and is vomiting. Toxins secreted through frog skin can make dogs very sick. Your vet may induce vomiting, give medication, or provide IV fluids to stabilize your pup.
In this comprehensive guide, we will cover reasons why frogs can be dangerous food for dogs, symptoms of toxicity to watch out for, first aid steps you can take at home, when to take your dog to the emergency vet, possible treatments vets may use, and how to help prevent this situation in the future.
Why Are Frogs Bad for Dogs To Eat?
Dogs may enjoy snacking on the occasional frog if the opportunity arises, but allowing them to do so regularly can actually be very dangerous to their health. There are multiple reasons for why frogs are toxic for dogs to ingest.
Secrete Toxins Through Their Skin
Many species of frogs and toads, like the poison dart frog, secrete toxins through their skin as a defense mechanism against predators. These toxins include things like bufotoxin, batrachotoxin, histrionicotoxin, and pumiliotoxin, all of which are very poisonous.
Ingesting such toxins can cause dangerous symptoms in dogs like excessive salivation, gastrointestinal upset, convulsions, paralysis, and even death if not treated immediately.
Carry Salmonella, E. Coli and Other Bacteria
Most frogs and toads also carry trace amounts of harmful bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli on their skin. If a dog consumes a frog raw, these bacteria can then infect the dog’s digestive system and cause conditions like vomiting, diarrhea, and dehydration.
This could require days of supportive veterinary treatment before the dog fully recovers.
According to the CDC, 3-4 million cases of human Salmonella poisoning occur annually in the U.S. from various sources. While statistics are lacking for dogs, this demonstrates that the threat for bacterial contamination from frogs is very real.
Their Bones Can Splinter and Puncture Internal Organs
Unlike the bones of birds and other small animals, the bones of frogs and toads are quite delicate and brittle. When consumed by dogs, these small bones can easily splinter into razor-sharp fragments that then puncture, lacerate, or even fully perforate the stomach/intestinal linings or other internal organs.
This leads to hazardous conditions like septic peritonitis or peritoneal abscesses that require intensive surgical and medical treatment to resolve. And in some cases, the damage may be too severe to fix altogether.
| Type of Hazard | Potential Effects in Dogs |
|---|---|
| Toxins secreted through frog/toad skin | Excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, seizures, paralysis, death |
| Bacteria like Salmonella and E. coli on frog/toad skin | Vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, blood infection, kidney failure |
| Brittle frog/toad bones splintering internally | Punctured stomach/intestines, infection, septic shock, death |
As shown above, the potential consequences can be quite severe and even fatal in some cases. So allowing dogs access to eat frogs freely is an extremely unwise idea from a health standpoint.
If your dog already swallowed a frog recently and is now vomiting, contact your vet right away. Prompt supportive care and medication is crucial for countering any toxins or infections received from the frog before they get out of hand. Learn more at Pet Poison Helpline.
Symptoms of Frog Poisoning in Dogs
Excessive Drooling and Vomiting
One of the most common symptoms of frog poisoning in dogs is excessive drooling and vomiting. The toxins from the frog can irritate the lining of a dog’s stomach and cause them to drool excessively as they try to rid themselves of the irritant.
Often, dogs will vomit numerous times as their bodies try to expel the toxins. According to the American Kennel Club, this vomiting can occur immediately but may begin up to 6 hours after they eat the frog.
Pawing at the Mouth
The irritation and inflammation caused by the frog toxins can cause a dog discomfort in their mouth and throat. They may paw at their mouth or rub their face along the ground. Some dogs will repeatedly swallow as if trying to get rid of an unpleasant taste or sensation in their mouth.
These are signs that the toxins are causing irritation internally.
Difficulty Breathing
In severe cases of frog poisoning, dogs can develop swelling in their throats that leads to difficulty breathing. Their gums or tongue may also become swollen after eating certain types of frogs. According to VCA Animal Hospitals, the toxins can paralyze the nerves that control breathing, resulting in slow, labored breaths.
If a dog’s airway becomes obstructed or they cannot breathe properly, this is a life-threatening emergency requiring immediate veterinary care.
Lethargy and Weakness
Some types of frog toxins can be absorbed into a dog’s bloodstream after ingestion. These toxins can cause lethargy, weakness, and muscle tremors as they circulate. The toxins essentially attack the normal nerve functioning in the dog’s body.
In extreme cases, it can cause partial paralysis or seizures. Lethargy and muscle weakness are signs that the toxins are being absorbed systemically rather than just causing localized irritation in the mouth and stomach.
First Aid for Dogs Who Ate Frogs
Call Your Vet Immediately
If you suspect your dog has eaten a frog, the first thing you should do is call your veterinarian right away. Consuming frogs can potentially expose dogs to toxins and parasites, so getting veterinary advice quickly is crucial.
When you call, be prepared to describe what part of the frog your dog ate, how much they ate, and any symptoms you’re noticing like vomiting or lethargy. The sooner you involve your vet, the better equipped you’ll be to handle this icky situation.
Collect Any Remaining Frog Parts
If possible, collect any remaining frog parts like the legs or skin and bring them with you to the vet. Identification of the exact species can help determine treatment options. Use gloves when handling frog parts to avoid exposing yourself to potential toxins.
Place the frog pieces in a sealed plastic bag or container. Your vet may want to identify the species by examining the remains under a microscope. Bringing a sample aids prompt diagnosis and care.
Induce Vomiting If Your Vet Advises It
Depending on the circumstances, your vet may advise you to induce vomiting at home before bringing your dog in. Vomiting can help empty the stomach and prevent further toxin absorption. To induce vomiting safely, your vet will instruct you on the appropriate type and dose of syrup of ipecac to give your dog. Never try to make your dog vomit without explicit veterinary guidance, as improper technique and dosage can cause harm.
Watch for Changes in Behavior or Vital Signs
Even after initial treatment, continue monitoring your dog closely over the next 24 hours. Look for symptoms like dilated pupils, drooling, breathing issues, racing heart rate, lethargy, vomiting, and diarrhea. Take your dog’s temperature every few hours, watching for fever.
Seek prompt veterinary attention if any concerning signs develop or persist. With close observation at home and follow-up veterinary care as needed, you can help your pup recover.
Emergency Vet Care for Frog Poisoning
Stomach Flushing and Emesis
If your dog ate a poisonous frog recently, the vet will likely try to flush out its stomach to remove any toxins. This involves inducing vomiting with apomorphine and/or administering activated charcoal to absorb toxins. The vet may also pump the stomach via gastric lavage.
Speed is important, as the longer toxins stay in the system, the more damage they can cause.
Medications to Control Vomiting
Once the stomach is emptied, the vet will give medications like metoclopramide to control vomiting. Vomiting can be dangerous if it continues excessively. Controlling nausea and vomiting helps support the body while the toxins are metabolized and excreted.
The vet may also give antibiotics as a precaution against infection from bacteria on the frog’s skin.
IV Fluids and Supportive Care
Dogs with frog poisoning often need intravenous (IV) fluid therapy to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalances. The toxins can disrupt fluid balance, so replacing lost fluids/electrolytes helps stabilize the dog.
Other supportive care like oxygen therapy or blood pressure support may be given based on symptoms.
Monitoring for Infection Risk
Dogs that eat frogs are at risk for infections like salmonella. Your vet will monitor your dog closely for several days for signs of infection like vomiting, diarrhea, fever, or lethargy. They may prescribe antibiotics as a preventative measure.
With prompt, aggressive treatment, most dogs survive frog poisoning, but complications can develop if toxins/bacteria spread in the body. Let your vet know immediately if symptoms persist or worsen after treatment.
Preventing Dogs From Eating Frogs
Supervise Time Outdoors
One of the best ways to prevent your dog from snacking on frogs is to supervise them when they’re playing or doing their business outside. Dogs are naturally curious and like to explore with their mouths, which can get them into trouble with small critters like frogs if left unattended.
Staying with your pup and correcting unwanted behaviors can help reinforce that frogs are off limits.
Train Your Dog to ‘Leave It’
Teaching the cue “Leave it” is an extremely helpful way to manage a dog that wants to mess with frogs and other things they shouldn’t. Start training this when they’re a puppy by offering treats as a reward for leaving objects alone on cue.
With consistency, the vast majority of dogs will learn to obey this command. Always praise and give treats when they resist the urge to snatch up a frog!
Check Your Yard for Places Frogs Hide
Frogs love damp, hidden nooks in gardens and yards, which draws curious canines to investigate. Be proactive by doing regular checks for places frogs might be nesting, like under bushes, patio furniture, or wood piles.
Fill in overly damp spots or create barriers with fencing or pavers to deter frogs from hunkering down where your dog could find them.
Use Fences to Keep Frogs Out of Your Yard
Installing fences around your property can be a very effective frog deterrent, preventing them from ever gaining access to areas frequented by your dog. While no barrier is 100% impenetrable, fencing with a rolled or L-shaped top edge can make it much harder for frogs to enter from neighboring lots.
This is especially useful if you have pond or marsh areas beyond your yard attracting hordes of hoppy visitors!
Conclusion
While most cases of dogs eating frogs don’t lead to serious illness, it’s crucial you monitor your pup closely after the incident. Contact your vet at the first sign of concerning symptoms. With prompt supportive care guided by your veterinarian, your dog has very good chances of making a full recovery.
We hope this guide gave you greater peace of mind by outlining what to watch for and do if your dog gets into a frog. Stay vigilant about prevention, but try not to worry too much. With some training and environmental management of your yard, you can help keep your curious canine away from toxic amphibians in the future.
