A quiet Loxahatchee backyard turned into an emergency room drill after a poisonous cane toad encounter left a 90‑pound, five‑year‑old golden retriever named Pluto collapsed on the ground. Veterinarians treated him and, after several tense days, Pluto pulled through, but the scare has his family rethinking how safe their yard really is. Neighbors in the Arden community say they are now second‑guessing everything from mulch to lighting to fence lines as the invasive toads push deeper into developed neighborhoods.
Pluto's Close Call
Pluto's owner, Danielle Pascucci, told WPTV that the golden retriever had gotten ahold of a cane toad and went down the moment she reached him. "I went over and I touched him, and as soon as I touched him, he collapsed," Pascucci said. As reported by WPTV, Pluto returned to his normal self after a few days, and the station connected the family with a wildlife expert for a walkthrough of their property.
Why Cane Toads Are A Real Threat
Cane toads, also called bufo toads, release a milky toxin from glands behind their eyes that can quickly sicken or kill pets, and owners often have only minutes to react. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission notes that "If your pet bites or swallows a cane toad, they can become sick and die in as little as 15 minutes without proper treatment." The University of Florida extension reports that cane toads are now common in yards and thrive in human‑modified spots such as lawns, canals and golf courses, which makes suburban pets especially vulnerable.
Expert Walkthrough And Quick Fixes
According to WPTV, Jeannine Tilford of the removal company Toad Busters walked the Pascucci yard and flagged several high‑risk areas for cane toads. Tilford urged pet owners not to leave dogs unattended and recommended swapping mulch for rocks, installing mesh barriers along the base of fences, removing spots where toads can hide and keeping yard lights off at night so insects are less likely to draw toads in. The company's removal services, barrier installations and poisoning‑response kits are outlined on the Toad Busters website.
What To Do If Your Pet Is Exposed
If you suspect your pet has contacted a cane toad, rinse the animal's mouth with water while keeping its head tilted downward so the toxin is not washed farther into the throat, then get to an emergency veterinarian immediately, the University of Florida extension advises. UF/IFAS also recommends putting away outdoor pet food and water at night and supervising animals at dawn and dusk, when toads are most active. Quick action, rinsing and a fast trip to an emergency clinic is what veterinarians say most often saves animals.
As South Florida moves into warmer, wetter months and development keeps reshaping neighborhoods, experts say pet owners in communities like Arden should be on high alert. A few simple yard changes and a plan for what to do in those first critical minutes can be the difference between a frightening close call and a tragedy.
