Every summer vet clinics is South Dakota, get calls about dogs that just went outside and now they are drooling profusely.  In most cases the dog has just encountered a South Dakota toad. Specifically, Woodhouse toads are common in our area. They toads hop around making them attractive “toys” for dogs and cats. However, glands in the toad’s skin secrete a bitter mucus that is designed to make predator animals drop them, thus sparing the toad from becoming dinner.  The bitter secretions cause profuse salivation as the dog tries to “wash” the bitter substance from its mouth.  Some dogs will also vocalize, vomit, wretch,  rub their face a lot, or paw at their mouth until the unpleasant sensation passes.  While some toad’s secretions can be very toxic to pets, these species are not found in South Dakota.

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Aaaah! The wind in my fur. Tongue flapping saliva all over the window and the passenger in the back seat. Splat bug in my eye!

While riding unrestrained in the back of a pickup or hanging a head out of an open car window can seem like a romantic excursion for a dog, it is a very dangerous idea. Every year dogs are killed or severely injured from falling out of the back of moving vehicles or jumping out of open windows.  Some just lose their balance, others bail out willingly at the sight of another dog, person, cat, or rabbit. Bugs and flying road debris can cause injury to the eyes and face. Additionally, improperly restrained animals cause an estimated 30,000 car accidents per year. Crates, properly adjusted doggy seat belts, and tethers can all help keep a dog safe. If your dog for some reason has to be tied in the back of a pickup truck make sure that the tether is short enough that the dog can’t jump out and hang himself.

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