Rodent bait used to exterminate mice and rats can also be deadly to dogs and cats. If you have pets then rodenticides should be used with extreme caution.
There are many types of rodent baits or traps on the market, most kill rodents with anticoagulants. Anticoagulants cause internal bleeding, the rodents bleed to death. If a dog or cat ingests the rodenticide then the poison will have the same effect on its body, without treatment the dog or cat will bleed to death.
- Act fast – Rodenticide poisoning is very serious. Without treatment your pet will slowly bleed to death. The symptoms you'll see are lethargy, weakness, cold limbs, and pale gums. You may also notice bloody urine, blood in the stools, and nose bleeds. If you see your pet ingest rodent bait or suspect that it has, do not wait for symptoms to show, it maybe to late if you do.
- Types of rodent bait – The active ingredient in most rodent baits are: brodificoum, diphacinone, warfarin, bromadiolone. These are the anticoagulant. There are other types of rodent baits that do not include anticoagulants but they are also poisonous to dogs and cats and should be avoided.
- Induce Vomiting – If you suspect your pet has ingested rodent bait, find a torn package or see the blue or green dye on the muzzle (or carpet) or actually see them eating the bait, first call your veterinarian, second induce vomiting. You can induce vomiting up to a couple hours after the poison has been ingested. Do not induce vomiting if your pet has ingested a corrosive substance or if your pet is acting woozy or is unconscious.
- Alert your veterinarian - Let your veterinarian know the situation he/she may want to induce vomiting themselves. Many times they want to see the vomit.
- Hydrogen Peroxide - To induce vomiting at home give 3% hydrogen peroxide orally, the dose for dogs and cats is 1 – 2 teaspoons for every 10 pounds of body weight. Squirt the peroxide into the back of the throat with a needle-less syringe or eyedropper. The pet should vomit within 5 minutes, if not repeat the dose.
- Activated Charcoal – Once the animal has vomited the veterinarian will continue to treat your pet with activated charcoal. This stuff tastes awful and will stain clothes and skin. Many times an animal must be force fed or a stomach tube is used. Activated charcoal comes in an easy to use liquid or paste and helps to absorb some toxins.
- Vitamin K – Vitamin K is absolutely necessary after rodent bait ingestion. Vitamin K will restore the bloods ability to clot. Many times an injection is given first then followed up with capsules to give at home, this is usually needed for several weeks. Finish any medications that your veterinarian has prescribed.
If you must use rodent baits or rodenticides be sure to place the pellets in places that dogs and cats can not get to. Consider using humane traps instead, they will help keep family pets out of danger.
The copyright of the article Rodenticide Poisoning in Pet Care is owned by Charla Dawson. Permission to republish Rodenticide Poisoning in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
