Dog Health: Dog Ate Rat Poison, What to Do?

While rat poison may not create problems immediately, a cascading series of events will soon start to take place and things will start deteriorating quickly. Don't underestimate the problem! If you know your dog ingested rat poison or suspect it, take your dog to the vet immediately!

There are many rat poisons on the market nowadays, but the most common are made in such as way as to prevent the rat's blood from clotting. Normally, blood contains special substances that aid the coagulation of blood. These special substances (often referred to as clotting factors) are responsible for converting fibrinogen into a mix of insoluble fibrin which ultimately causes the platelets to stick and blood to coagulate. This is often known as the ''fibrin clot'' and basically it plugs the vessel's tear, stopping the bleeding.

Clotting normally begins within 5 minutes of an injury to the blood vessels occurring. This is a very important defense mechanism occurring automatically when a blood vessel is damaged.This is ultimately a life-saving event, since without clotting factors, one would eventually bleed to death. When an animal ingests rat poison, no more more clotting factors are produced. While this may not create problems immediately, a cascading series of events will soon start to take place and things will start deteriorating quickly. Don't underestimate the problem!

It is common for dog owners to assume that just because their dog is doing fine after ingesting rat poison, they are basically out of the woods. Generally, anticoagulant rat poison takes some time to start creating problems, and for this reason, it is imperative to act right away instead of waiting for signs of trouble. Unfortunately, those who have waited too long, have witnessed serious health problems in their canines, often resulting in the loss of their dog. Something that ultimately could have been prevented if only help earlier help was sought! If your dog ate rat poison see your vet immediately; if less than 2 hours have passed your dog can be induced vomiting and given products to prevent absorption.

Dogs have a reserve of clotting factors in their blood. Depending on how much rodent poison a dog has ingested, signs of trouble may start days to weeks later once the reserve of clotting factors has been depleted. Deprived on any new clotting factors, the dog will soon start bruising easily and bleeding internally which will makes things go down hill fairly quickly.

At times, dog owners unfortunately are not aware their dogs ingested rat poison. This often happens when dogs are not supervised. Exposures often happens accidentally such upon moving in a new home and not knowing a previous tenant has left poison around. Some people sadly poison dogs deliberately by tossing a meat ball full of rat poison to the unsuspecting dog. Unfortunately, rat poison is made to taste good, therefore, dogs as scavengers, will eat it readily.

Signs of trouble generally vary from one type of poison to another. The most common types of rat poison contain the following toxic substances listed below. Upon contacting the vet or poison control center it is very important to provide the name and active ingredient listed. Many dog owners help veterinarians a lot when they come in the clinic with the box of rat poison. If your dog ate rat poison take your dog to the vet immediately and take along the box of poison.

• Warfarin (dicoumarol)
• Bromethalin
• Strychnine
• Sodium Fluroacetate
• Phosphorus
• Zinc Phosphide
• Cholecalciferol

* Note: Common Brands of Anticoagulant Poisons include: warfarin, fumarin, D-CON with brodifacoum, bromadiolone, pindone, diphacinone, chlorophacinone, difethialone, Havoc, Liqu-Tox II, Final Blox, D-con, Talon, Contrac Blox, Enforcer and Tomcat. In these cases, the antidote is vitamin K.

*Note; Non-Anticoagulant Poisons include: Quintox, Rat-B-Gone, Mouse-B-Gone, Bromethalin Fast Kill, Strychnine Gopher Bait 50, and Zinc Phosphide, Moletox. There is unfortunately no antidote for the majority of these.

As mentioned, signs of rodenticide poisoning will vary depending on the type of rat poison ingested. If you know or suspect your dog ingested rat poison, don't wait for these signs to occur! Take your dog to the vet immediately! If you do not suspect rodent poisoning, but your dog is exhibiting these signs, as well, take your dog to a vet immediately! There are rat poisons that cause symptoms right away and others such as anticoagulants which may cause problems later.

• Green/Blue Stools

Dogs that have ingested rat poison often produce a green or blue stool about one day later. This is often due to the bright green and blue colors used to dye the poison, such as in Warfarin or bromethalin based poisons. This should be a warning sign for dog owners who are not sure if their dogs have ingested rat poison. However, a lack of blue-green color in the feces does not necessarily mean a dog has not ingested rat poison. There are many variables such as the type of poison ingested and the quantity.

• Bleeding

With no more clotting factors to rely on, dogs will start bruising and bleeding often spontaneously or after light bruising. A dog may bleed from the nose, gums, or rectum. Bleeding from the lungs may cause dogs to cough. Blood in the urine and feces may be also seen, often in the last stages. Bleeding can also occur internally causing the dog to become weak, lose appetite and have pale gums. A swollen lump may indicate a hematoma (the accumulation of blood under the skin) and a the abdomen may develop ascites (the accumulation of fluid giving a swollen appearance).

• Neurological Signs

Seizures, nervousness, anxiety, impaired movement and paralysis may be other symptoms. Upon ingesting bromethalin, fluids accumulate in the brain causing neurological signs causing paralysis, muscle tremors and seizures. Within hours of ingesting strychnine affected dogs may appear agitated, anxious and apprehensive. Grand mal seizures may then soon follow often accompanied by respiratory problems.

• Gastro-intestinal Signs

Dogs that ingest cholecalciferol-containing rodenticides will develop symptoms of the gastro-intestinal tract such as vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, constipation. Thirst and increased urination may be present as well when the kidneys are involved. Zinc phosphide rodenticides are also known to cause vomiting, lethargy and weakness.

Upon suspecting the ingestion of rat poison, a vet will induce vomiting if the ingestion took place less than 1 to 2 hours ago. For more on how to do this, please read How to Induce Vomiting in Dogs. Activated charcoal will help bind any poison in the stomach. The stomach may be pumped if vomiting cannot be induced. A physical examination may reveal potential signs of bleeding internally if the ingestion took place a few days ago. Blood work will be run paying particular attention to clotting factors.

In the case of anticoagulant rat poison there is fortunately an antidote if vet attention is sought on time. Because vitamin K1 is responsible for the production of blood clotting factors, it is the antidote of choice for rat poisoning. Please keep in mind: this is not the same vitamin K found at health stores! Affected dogs therefore may require a vitamin K1 injection (especially when they cannot keep food down) and weeks or months of vitamin K1 pills.

In the case of non-anticoagulant rat poison, there is no antidote and the treatment is mainly supportive. The dog may therefore be given drugs to reduce the swelling of the brain, prevent kidney failure, reduce seizures, muscle relaxants to prevent rigidity, and so forth. Prognosis will vary depending on a variety of factors.

References:

Pet Place: Rodenticide Poisoning in Dogs

Disclaimer: This article is not intended as a substitute for medical or veterinary advice. If you suspect your dog ate rat poison, please contact your veterinarian immediately.

The ASPCA offers a poison control line that responds to calls from owners of pets that have ingested some toxic substance. The ASPCA poison control line is open 24/7 365 days a year and can be reached at 888-426-4435. A $65 dollar consultation fee applies. Keep this number handy at all times!

Alternatively, JustAnswer has veterinarians online all day for a nominal fee (generally less than $20). They may direct to you on what to do if your dog ate a poison. However, time is of the essence and your best bet may be to contact your vet or head towards your closest animal emergency center immediately.