NEED TO KNOW

• A dog in Florida has reportedly died, and another is partially paralyzed after the pets ate a dead iguana that fell to the ground during cold weather in the state

• Bridget Garrison’s dogs, Tally and Karma, ate parts of the deceased reptile, found in their backyard, on Feb. 12

• A couple of days after eating the iguana, the dogs became paralyzed, with one later dying

A Florida dog is reportedly dead, and another is partially paralyzed after eating a dead cold-stunned iguana they found after the state’s recent cold weather.

Bridget Garrison of Palm Beach County, Fla., said her dogs, Tally and Karma, got hold of the deceased reptile in their backyard on Feb. 12, according to USA Today.

“Both dogs got a hold of an iguana in the yard that had been dead, I believe. They ate the arms and legs off,” Garrison told WPTV.

A couple of days later, Garrison’s Bluetick Coonhounds became paralyzed, losing the use of their legs. Tally later died on Feb. 16 at the age of 6.

After taking her dogs to the Pet Emergency and Referral Center, Garrison learned that her dogs likely contracted botulism from eating the dead iguana, per WPTV.

PEOPLE reached out to Pet Emergency and Referral Center but didn’t receive an immediate response.

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Botulism is a bacterium that produces toxins that attack the nervous system, according to Mayo Clinic.

“I just didn’t think about it,” she told the outlet. “Iguanas are in the trees, they died, then the wind shifts, so they are still falling.”

PEOPLE previously reported that cold-stunned iguanas have been falling out of trees in Florida when temperatures drop into the 30s and 40s, because the cold causes the reptiles’ bodies to shut down. Usually, the lizards go into a temporary, hibernation-like state called brumation, but iguanas can die if they stay cold for too long.

“Once they die, you have bacteria starting to decompose, and dogs come along,” Dr. Evan Kadish with Lantana-Atlantis Animal Hospital told WPTV. “You can start seeing hind-limb paralysis, and that will ascend up the body eventually causing more and more problems.”

Garrison said she didn’t know iguanas could be dangerous to her dogs.

“Had I known that even going near a dead iguana was possibly deadly, I would have gotten the activated charcoal, gotten the anti-toxins, but I had no idea,” she told WPTV.

Focusing on Karma’s recovery, the dog mom said, “I want her to run around our yard and be happy and back to being Karma. I can’t wait to hear her normal howl again.” The dog needs intensive supportive care until her body metabolizes the toxin, after which she should regain her mobility.

Dr. Kadish explained that cases of botulism have been rising in Florida due to cold weather.

“Just walk through your garden, have a look under your trees,” the doctor advised pet owners about the dead iguanas that could be on their property. “Use gloves or whatever to dispose of them safely.”

Read the original article on People