Buffo toads are extremely toxic to our pets so be on the look out when walking your dogs. Their breeding season tends to follow the rainy months of the summer (May -September) and they reproduce in ponds, lakes, canals and ditches. When a curious dog comes in contact with the toad it releases a highly toxic milky- white chemical from its Parotid glands that sit on the side of its face.  When a dog comes in contact with these toxins many will paw at their mouth, produce froth and excessive amounts of drool from the mouth and shake their head. In some instances, exposure can result in convulsions, seizures, disorientation, wobbling or collapse. Death is also possible when direct exposure to toxins has occurred.  If you suspect that your dog has been exposed immediately wash the toxins forward out of the mouth with a hose for 7- 10 minutes but be careful not to direct the hose to the back of the throat. You should then immediately take your dog to a veterinarian for further evaluation and care. At Town and Country Animal Hospital the veterinarians tend to see the most Buffo toad exposures occur during the rainy months of the summer. As an invasive species to Southwest Florida the toads are known to be present in the greater Naples Area such as  Golden Gate Estates, Logan Woods and the Vineyards as well as  Estero, Bonita Springs and Marco Island. For more information on Buffo toads you can watch this video from Dr. Steve Johnson a Wildlife Ecologist at the University of Florida:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cg1HUuxM7Zc