A two-year-old Maltese dog survived suspected poison from a toad it was playing around with in Barangay Crossing Rubber, Tupi, South Cotabato evening on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

According to the dog’s owner, Councilwoman Gemma Hontiveros Orencio Malazo, the dog suddenly began to have seizures, released foam in the mouth, and struggled to breathe after playing with the frog earlier in the afternoon.

“Nabigla na lang kami na nangingisay yung aso, tapos bumubula na yung bunganga niya, tapos hindi halos makahinga. Kaya na-shock yung anak ko, ang ginawa niya gi-pump niya,” Malazo said.

The family gave the dog sugar immediately and administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) after noticing it had weakened.

They also washed the dog’s mouth and gave it dextrose powder following first aid tips they found online.

The dog regained strength eventually and is now in stable condition.

Malazo suspects the poison may have come from the toad, which died later.

“Yung hapon, meron siyang nilalaro na palaka tapos parang namatay na yung palaka. Siguro, nakain niya at doon na nagsimula,” Malazo said.

A veterinarian said cane toads and other toad species are common in the area. They secrete toxins from glands located on the sides of their heads as a defense mechanism. When ingested by dogs, these toxins can cause poisoning.

“Usually, ang common sa lugar natin is cane toads, and kahit mga toads frog species, ang defense mechanism nila is magsecrete ng toxin sa kanilang skin so may gland sila, mag ingest na yan siya ng dogs, doon sila mapo-poison…Ang gland nila usually makikita sa side ng ulo,” Dr. Prince RJ Dili, a veterinarian from the General Santos City Veterinary Office said.

The City Veterinary Office advised pet owners to wash their pets’ mouths and give egg white as first aid before bringing them to a veterinary clinic. Egg white can help coat the stomach and delay the absorption of poison.

“Kasi eggwhite coats the stomach so pag ganon na, nag-coat ng stomach ng egg white, bali ma-dedelay ang absorption ng poision,” Dili added.

SEPARATE INCIDENT

Meanwhile, a dog in Barangay Cannery, Polomolok town led residents to a snake that entered the yard of a residence in the area on Thursday, February 19.

Lydio Pagdato said his dog noticed the snake first.

The snake reportedly came from a grassy area and even hid inside an umbrella before it was cornered. Pagdato captured it eventually with the use of a piece of wood.

The snake would be released to a creek. nearby after authorities determine is species.

Veterinarians explained that wild animals may venture into residential areas in search of shelter, food, or a mate, and stressed the importance of handling such situations carefully while ensuring public safety and wildlife protection.