Rodenticide Poisoning in Dogs

Rodenticide Poisoning in Dogs

By: Dr. Ann Marie Manning

Section: Overview

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 and/or plasma 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 dogs can often crawl in unlikely areas, especially if they smell other animals such as rodents.

    Keep your dog on a leash or in a fenced in yard to minimize exposure to other people's poisons.

    •  
    Printable Version
     
    Have a Pet Question?
    Review the Most Frequent Questions
    Answered by Dr. Jon and His Staff of Veterinarians
    Ask Dr. Jon
    Dr. Jon's Newsletter
    Yes! Send Me the Latest Health Information, Pet Tips, Pet Stories and more...
     
     

    Related Articles

    • 1 Dyspnea (Trouble Breathing) in Dogs

      Respiratory distress, also called dyspnea, is labored, difficult breathing or shortness of breath. This can occur at any time during the breathing process, either during inspiration or expiration.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2 Epistaxis (Nose Bleed) in Dogs

      Epistaxis refers to bleeding from the nose. It is usually from damaged vessels in the nasal mucosa, but can also be due to an increased fragility of capillaries or bleeding tendencies; it can affect any...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3 Vomiting in Dogs

      At one time or another your dog may have a bout of vomiting, usually from eating too much or too fast. Vomiting may be just a sign of a minor problem – or it could be something very serious.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 4 Hematuria (Blood in Urine) in Dogs

      Hematuria is the presence of red blood cells in the urine. It may be gross (visible to the naked eye) or microscopic.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 5 Acute Renal (Kidney) Failure in Dogs

      The kidneys filter blood, remove the waste products of metabolism, and eliminate them in the urine. Acute kidney failure (acute renal failure or ARF) is characterized by an abrupt decline in kidney function...

      Read MoreRead More
    Related Articles
    • 1Dyspnea (Trouble Breathing) in Dogs

      Respiratory distress, also called dyspnea, is labored, difficult breathing or shortness of breath. This can occur at any time during the breathing process, either during inspiration or expiration.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2Epistaxis (Nose Bleed) in Dogs

      Epistaxis refers to bleeding from the nose. It is usually from damaged vessels in the nasal mucosa, but can also be due to an increased fragility of capillaries or bleeding tendencies; it can affect any...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3Hematuria (Blood in Urine) in Dogs

      Hematuria is the presence of red blood cells in the urine. It may be gross (visible to the naked eye) or microscopic.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 4Acute Renal (Kidney) Failure in Dogs

      The kidneys filter blood, remove the waste products of metabolism, and eliminate them in the urine. Acute kidney failure (acute renal failure or ARF) is characterized by an abrupt decline in kidney function...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 5Vomiting in Dogs

      At one time or another your dog may have a bout of vomiting, usually from eating too much or too fast. Vomiting may be just a sign of a minor problem – or it could be something very serious.

      Read MoreRead More
     

    Over 10,000 Veterinarian Approved Articles

    Dogs & Puppies
    Cats
    Related Articles
    • 1Dyspnea (Trouble Breathing) in Dogs

      Respiratory distress, also called dyspnea, is labored, difficult breathing or shortness of breath. This can occur at any time during the breathing process, either during inspiration or expiration.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2Epistaxis (Nose Bleed) in Dogs

      Epistaxis refers to bleeding from the nose. It is usually from damaged vessels in the nasal mucosa, but can also be due to an increased fragility of capillaries or bleeding tendencies; it can affect any...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 3Hematuria (Blood in Urine) in Dogs

      Hematuria is the presence of red blood cells in the urine. It may be gross (visible to the naked eye) or microscopic.

      Read MoreRead More
    • 4Acute Renal (Kidney) Failure in Dogs

      The kidneys filter blood, remove the waste products of metabolism, and eliminate them in the urine. Acute kidney failure (acute renal failure or ARF) is characterized by an abrupt decline in kidney function...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 5Vomiting in Dogs

      At one time or another your dog may have a bout of vomiting, usually from eating too much or too fast. Vomiting may be just a sign of a minor problem – or it could be something very serious.

      Read MoreRead More