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    2. Giant Toads

    Very dangerous to dogs, a Giant Toad secretes a toxin from its skin that causes heart failure, Dr. Tegzes says. A dog just needs to pick up the toad and hold it in his mouth to be exposed. Also called Cane Toad, Marine Toad or Bufo Toad, the critters can bring agony: excessive drooling, crying, extremely red gums and loss of coordination number among pets’ symptoms.

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    Among the 339 outdoor-critter-related calls for help to the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center in 2011, poisonings by Bufo toads and the Colorado River toad were most common, Dr. Wismer says, beating out ants, wasps, bees, snakes, spiders and others. Toad poisonings prompted 51 VPI insurance claims in 2011, costing an average $304.03 per pet.

    Location: Hawaii, Florida, extending across the extreme southern parts of the country.

    What to do if you pet is poisoned: At home, Dr. Tegzes says, the victim’s mouth should be well irrigated with a garden hose. “Simply run the water into the side of the dog’s mouth and out the other side,” says Dr. Tegzes. “But do not run the water to the back of the throat. You want to gently rinse its mouth very thoroughly and get veterinary attention.”