Poisonous toads roaming in Florida could be deadly for your pets

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SYDNEY, NSW - AUGUST 09: A Cane Toad is exhibited at Taronga Zoo August 9, 2005 in Sydney, Australia. The Cane Toad, which is poisonous, is reportedly being blamed for the deaths of a number of Australia's most dangerous predator, the Salt Water Croc (Ian Waldie/Getty Images)

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ORLANDO, Fla. - The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) is warning people about toads so poisonous that they could kill your animal.

Invasive cane toads are found primarily in the central and southern parts of Florida and they are very poisonous.

"If your pet bites or licks one, the consequences could be deadly," FWC said on Facebook.

According to experts, the venom affects the nervous system and could disrupt certain functions. The RSPCA says that an adult cane toad has enough toxin to kill an average-sized dog in 15 minutes.

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The Telegraph reports that cane toads are so poisonous that they are responsible for killing a large number of crocodiles in Australia.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) encourages landowners to kill cane toads on their own property whenever possible. They say "they are not protected in Florida except by anti-cruelty law and can be removed from private property year-round with landowner permission."

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"Before humanely killing a toad, always make sure that you have correctly identified it as a cane toad," FWC said. "Native toad species are an important part of the ecosystem and are not harmful to people or pets so please be careful not to harm them."

FWC offered these tips on what to do about the invasive species:

HOW TO SPOT THEM

Reddish-brown to grayish-brown with a light-yellow or beige belly
Can be uniform in color or have darker markings around the body
Enlarged glands behind the eyes, which angle downward onto the shoulders
Glands secrete a potent milky-white toxin (bufotoxin) as defense against predators including domestic pets
Range in size from 6 to 9 inches in length

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IF YOU COME IN CONTACT WITH A CANE TOAD

Thoroughly wash your hands
Always wear latex, rubber or nitrile gloves to safely handle cane toads

SYMPTOMS YOUR PET MAY DISPLAY IF THEY COME IN CONTACT

Vomiting
Difficulty breathing
Foaming at the mouth
Dilated pupils
Increased heart rate
Difficulty walking
Lethargy
Seizure

IF YOUR PET BITES OR SWALLOWS A CANE TOAD

Wash toxins forward out of mouth using a hose for ten minutes being careful not to direct water down the throat.
Wipe gums/tongue with dish towel to remove toxins.
Get your pet to the vet!

HOW TO KEEP CANE TOADS OFF YOUR PROPERTY