Page 12 - Hobe Sound Reflections - February '22

Page 12, Hobe Sound

tip of tHe taiL

Bufo Marinus – The Giant of the poison as possible insecticides. Do not leave your pet’s food or water bowls outside
Marine Toad before it is absorbed. Point and keep your pets on a leash when out for walks. Keeping
the head down and flush
Bufo toads out of your yard requires completely enclosing the
across mouth and not down yard with mesh screens that extend at least 20 inches above the
the throat. You do not want ground and 4 inches below the ground. Natural ways to control
to drown your pet while Bufo toad populations is being investigated, but does not look
trying to save him. You can promising at this time.
also use a towel to wipe the Exposure to Bufo toads can result in minimal to no problems
poison out of the mouth and off the lips. After decontaminating at all, but if left untreated or unnoticed, can be fatal especially in
the mouth, call your veterinarian or emergency clinic. There is smaller animals.
not a specific antidote, but we can alleviate some of the clinical Established in 1981, Palm City Animal Medical Center is
The Bufo toad first came to Florida in 1955 and was signs. It may take 10 or 15 minutes for some of the more serious dedicated to providing the best possible care for your pets. With
accidentally released at the Miami International Airport by a signs to appear, especially in smaller pets. I often tell owners focuses on compassionate care in surgery, physical therapy and
dealer importing specimens from Australia to be sold as pets. of large dogs to rinse/wipe the mouth and observe them for 15 rehabilitation, preventative medicine, extensive diagnostics, and
They were later released into sugar cane fields to help control minutes, but I tell owners of small dogs to rinse/wipe the mouth emergency service, Palm City Animal Medical Center combines
mice and rats. These toads thrive in areas with man-made bodies and get them examined right away. exceptional medical care with a caring philosophy for pets and
of water such as canals and drainage fields. They often drive There are a few things we can do to decrease the chance of their owners. For more information, call (772) 283-0920, visit
out native species of toads because they will eat a wide variety your pet having an experience with a Bufo toad. First, control www.palmcityanimalmedicalcenter.com or find us on Facebook
of food sources. Most toads will only eat live insects, the Bufo insects in your yard by keeping lights off and using appropriate at www.facebook.com/PalmCityAnimalClinic.
will eat dead insects, dog/cat food and even baby rodents right
out of their nests. They have a very heavily built body with
short legs and no webbing between the toes. They will grow CLub news
over 9 inches long and can weigh up to 2 pounds. A key feature
of their anatomy is an external salivary gland behind each eye
where you expect an ear to be. This is where their clear or milky Mining Census Records Masks are optional. To participate via Zoom, go to mcgsfl.org
white toxin is excreted when the toad is disturbed or annoyed; With The Martin County and register before March 17.
for instance, being picked up in the mouth of a dog. The toxin A scientist by training, Meyer has been active in
affects the nervous system and the heart and is similar in action Genealogical Society genealogy for more than 25 years. His expertise revolves
to the cardiac drug digitalis. The tadpoles and eggs are also toxic, around new technology, Internet research and FamilySearch.
but usually to a lesser degree. The United States Census, a vast storehouse of information In addition to serving as director of the Family History
When a pet is exposed, the toxin is irritating to the lips and about Americans dating to 1790, will be featured at the Martin Center, he is a Family History Consultant and director of
gums. Pets will salivate and paw at their mouth and exhibit County Genealogical Society’s March meeting. In a presentation education for the Family History Guide. He has presented
excessive salivation. Sometimes, but not always, the gums entitled “Mining the Census Records to Write Your Family at a variety of genealogy conferences, including RootsTech
will turn a brick red color. It is always difficult to determine Story,” Miles Meyer, director of the Vero Beach Family History Salt Lake, RootsTech London and RootsTech Connect, and
the amount of toxicity, but just due to lower body weight, Center, will explain what data is available in census records and has been a beta tester for several genealogy companies. He
small breeds are often more severely affected. The toxin can how to develop that information into a timeline that can be used also manages several genealogy blogs.
be absorbed through the mucous membranes and doesn’t to write a family narrative. He also will discuss how the census In addition to its monthly programs, the Genealogical
necessarily need to be ingested. If enough toxin is absorbed, the has changed since it was first conducted and preview the results Society offers a variety of services at the Genealogy Room
pet will begin to vomit followed by heart arrhythmias, breathing of the 1950 U.S. Census which will be released in April 2022. in the Blake Library in Stuart including an extensive research
problems, seizures and possibly death. Although Meyer’s presentation will be virtual, the meeting library, access to several genealogy websites and assistance from
The most important thing you, as a pet owner, can do is will be in person at the Blake Library in Stuart from 1 to 3 p.m., MCGS volunteers. For more information about membership,
immediately flush and wipe out the mouth to remove as much Friday, March 18. The meeting is free and open to the public. activities and services go to mcgsfl.org.

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