BULLFROGS  (Bufo alvarius & Bufo marinus) – actually a toad.

Though often called “bullfrogs,” these are actually toads. They emerge at night following rain, and many dogs are tempted to lick or bite them. Unfortunately, their salivary glands secrete a toxin that can be absorbed through the gums or mucous membranes.

Signs of toxicity:

• Thick, colored (often reddish) drooling or mucous membrane discoloration
• Neurological signs: staggering, tremors, seizures
• Cardiovascular shock, fever

What to do:

• Immediately rinse your pet’s mouth with water.
• Transport your pet to a veterinary hospital without delay.
• Treatment is mainly supportive—anticonvulsants, fluids, cooling, and monitoring are typical.

 Toads from Pet Poison Helpline

CACTUS

Pets who brush against or chew on cacti can end up with painful spines in paws, mouths, ears, eyes, or hidden areas (e.g., paws, genital region).

Approach:

• In many cases, sedation or anesthesia is required to fully examine and remove spines.
• Hidden fragments may lead to abscess formation.
• While under anesthesia, veterinarians often check for corneal abrasions, inspect the mouth and ears, and locate any stray spines.
• After removal, pets typically receive anti-inflammatory pain relief and antibiotics if an infection is possible.

SCORPIONS

Scorpion stings are painful and may cause localized swelling, lethargy, or systemic signs in sensitive pets. Scorpions hide under debris and emerge at night. Because they prey on insects, reducing insect populations around your home can help reduce scorpion presence.

What to do:

• Contact a professional exterminator for yard and home treatment.
• If your pet is stung, seek veterinary care. Treatment is usually symptomatic: pain control, fluids, monitoring.

 Scorpions Pet Poison Helpline 

COYOTES

Coyotes are common in suburban and desert-edge areas. They pose a serious risk to small dogs and especially to cats.

Risks:

• Attacks occurring in yards, even during the day
• Jumping walls or barriers
• Transmission of infectious diseases such as parvovirus or rabies

Precautions:

• Keep cats indoors or use a fully enclosed “catio” or run.
• Do not leave small dogs unattended outdoors, especially at dawn or dusk.
• Always supervise pets when outdoors in coyote country.

 About Coyotes

SNAKE BITES

Snake encounters are a risk in many parts of the valley, especially during warmer months or in undeveloped areas. Not all bites deliver venom (dry bites), and severity varies.

Important points:

• Any suspected bite should be treated as an emergency.
• The same antivenom used for humans may be used in dogs, but availability is limited and risk of allergic reaction exists.
• Your best move is immediate veterinary evaluation—only a professional can assess severity and make treatment decisions.
• Consider enrolling your dog in a snake avoidance or “rattlesnake awareness” class to reduce risk.

Useful resources:

• Humane Society of Southern Arizona offers Rattlesnake / Toad Avoidance Training classes.
• Animal Experts offers Snake & Toad Avoidance Training in southern Arizona.

Link to snakes of Arizona –  http://www.reptilesofaz.org/snakes.html

 Pet Poison Helpline for More information 

Rattle Snakes

Coral Snakes 

SPIDERS

In our area, bites from black widows (Latrodectus) and brown recluses (Loxosceles) pose risks to pets.

• Brown recluse: local tissue necrosis
• Black widow: pain, neuromuscular signs, sometimes systemic effects

Approach:

• Avoid handling or provoking spiders.
• If a bite is suspected, immediate veterinary support is necessary.
• Tarantulas are generally low-risk; they may flick hairs, but serious envenomation is very rare.

 Arizona Spider ID

Black Widow Spiders

About Brown Recluse Spiders

LIZARDS

Most lizards pose negligible threat to pets and should simply be left alone. The Gila monster is one exception; while bites are uncommon (and generally defensive), they can be dangerous.

About Gila Monsters 

Valley Fever (Coccidioides immitis)

This is a fungal disease native to our desert soils. Pets inhale spores disturbed into the air, leading to infection.  

How it presents:

• Many exposed pets never get sick (immune response controls infection)
• Dogs may show respiratory signs, lameness, eye inflammation, skin lesions, neurologic signs, lethargy and weight loss
• In cats, infection is rarer but may present as nonhealing skin lesions, respiratory signs, or systemic illness  

Diagnosis:

• Blood titers (antibody testing)
• Radiographs (chest, bones, other organs)
• Potential trends in rising or falling titers help guide treatment

Treatment:

• Long-term antifungal therapy (typically 6–12 months or longer) with fluconazole, itraconazole, or ketoconazole
  
• Pets must be monitored for liver side-effects
• Supportive care (appetite, pain, anti-inflammatories) is often part of the plan 

Prognosis:

• Pets with lung-only disease often recover well with treatment
• Cases with dissemination, neurologic involvement, or poor response may require lifelong therapy or carry a guarded prognosis  

Prevention & Risk Reduction:

• No currently available vaccine
• Avoiding dusty environments, limiting digging behavior, and ground cover (rocks, grass, mulch) to reduce dust exposure may help  

More info from the Valley Fever Center for Excellence:
Their site provides in-depth resources on disease mechanisms, treatment protocols, and FAQs. Valley Fever Center For Excellence