Rodenticide poisoning is the accidental ingestion of products used to kill "rodents" such as mice, rats and gophers. These products are common and accidental exposure is frequent. Poisoning is most commonly caused by ingestion of a product containing one of the following ingredients:
Bromethalin
Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3)
Strychnine
Zinc phosphide
Anticoagulant (warfarin, fumarin, chlorophacinone, diphacinone, difethialone, pindone, bromadiolone, brodaficoum)
Younger and older pets tend to be more sensitive to the affects of toxicity and underlying liver disease can exacerbate toxicity.
The impact on the poisoned animal varies depending on the type of poison ingested. An animal may develop a bleeding disorder, neurological problems, gastrointestinal distress or kidney failure. In some cases, rodenticide poisoning is fatal.
What to Watch For
Depression
Lethargy
Bleeding
Loss of appetite
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Increased thirst or urinations
Lameness
Incoordination
Difficulty walking
Collapse
Difficulty breathing
Extreme sensitivity to light
Noise or touch
Seizures
Coma
Sudden death is possible
Diagnosis
There is no single test that can be performed to make a definitive diagnosis of rodenticide poisoning. However, in addition to a thorough history and physical examination, your veterinarian may recommend one or more of the following tests to aid in the diagnosis.
Tests may include:
A complete blood count (CBC)
A serum biochemical profile
Urinalysis
Examination of stomach contents
Platelet count
Reticulocyte count
PIVKA (for anticoagulant rodenticide ingestion)
Clotting tests, such as: an activated clotting time (ACT) test, a prothrombin time (PT) test and an activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) test
Treatment
Therapy for rodenticide poisoning varies based on the type of poison ingested, the amount ingested and the length of time elapsed since ingestion. Treatments may include one or more of the following:
Vomiting should be induced if ingestion was recent.
Activated charcoal can be administered to bind poison remaining in the stomach.
Gastric lavage (pumping the stomach)
Intravenous fluids
Additional treatments may include:
Anticonvulsant drugs
Blood transfusion
Muscle relaxants
Drugs to treat kidney failure such as furosemide and dopamine
Drugs to reduce swelling of the brain such as mannitol and steroids
Vitamin K1
Oxygen
Heat support
Nutritional support
Cage rest
Antibiotics may be prescribed if a concurrent infection is identified or suspected.
Home Care and Prevention
Prevent exposure to poisons. If you normally use rodenticides, store them with special care. When poisons are used, place them in areas in which your pets do not have access. Take special care as rodents may drag poisons within reach of pets. Remember that cats can often crawl in unlikely areas, especially if they smell other animals such as rodents.
Keep your cat indoors to minimize exposure to other people's poisons.
