Pet Emergencies | Rat Poison
If you suspect your pet has been exposed to rat poison, please bring the rat bait package with you to the hospital. This will help inform the veterinarian about the product which may be causing the problem.
Rat bait is a common item around households and it is not surprising that our beloved pets occasionally will encounter and ingest these substances. A few of the more common rat poison brands are D-Con, Havoc, Talon, Contrac and Promar. There are many newer rat bait products on the market today that will poison your pet even if he or she eats the dead rodent. Therefore, it is important to contact your veterinarian as soon as possible if a poisoning is suspected, even if your pet only ate the dead rodent that may have been poisoned by the rat bait. This urgency is due to the fact that, especially with rat bait, your pet will not start showing clinical signs until three to six days after exposure. By the time clinical signs are evident, the prognosis becomes worse.
Symptoms
Signs after rat poison ingestion may include nose bleeds; dark, tarry stool; vomiting blood; bleeding gums; skin bruising; difficulty breathing and lethargy. Factors that may make your pet's symptoms worse include aspirin or other anti-inflammatory medications, liver disease or kidney disease.
Treatment
The cornerstone of therapy for rat poisonings is vitamin K. However, depending on your pet's clinical signs, our veterinarians may recommend further testing and therapies, especially in more advanced stages. Only a veterinarian can determine the appropriate course of action.
Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet ingested rat poison or ate a rodent that was poisoned by rat bait!