Rat Poison

Mouse and Rat baits kill your pets

Never say never when it comes to our pets gaining access to and eating rodent poison.

We often see bad mouse plagues here in Dubbo and many pets that are accidentally poisoned by baits.

Whenever mouse numbers are high, stay on high alert.

Symptoms of rat poison in pets

  • External bleeding that won’t stop

  • Pale gums

  • Lethargy with breathing difficulty

  • Nose bleeds

  • Urine or faeces becomes really dark

Bleeding symptoms take 3 to 5 days to develop AFTER consumption of rodent poison, so don’t relax just because signs aren’t immediate.

What to do if your pet has eaten rat baits?

Contact the surgery ASAP – rodent poisoning cases are genuine emergencies, so immediate veterinary help is required. 

This is the case at any stage of poisoning – if it’s just been eaten, if you come home and find chewed bait, or if your pet is unwell from the bleeding effects. 

Without treatment, these animals can die. Do not relax where these baits are concerned.

Treatment for rat poisoning in dogs

  • Restoring clotting factors through a plasma or blood transfusion

  • Quickly administering Vitamin K

  • Providing oxygen therapy

Why are rat baits poisonous to pets?

They contain variations of a similar poison that interferes with the body’s ability to manufacture essential blood clotting factors. Clotting factors are proteins, which prevent bleeding either internally or externally. When consumed, the chemical contained in the rodent poison stops the liver producing these clotting factors by blocking the action of Vitamin K, which is required for the formation of these vital clotting proteins.  

No adverse signs appear until 3 days AFTER the bait has been eaten.

This is the time it takes for the clotting factors that have already been produced prior to eating the rat bait, to run out. After 3 days, bleeding into the bladder, lungs, abdomen and possibly from the nose begins.

Examples of rodent poisons: 

  • Ratsak

  • Bromokill

  • Talon

  • TomKat

  • Mortein “RatKill” etc.

Will my pet get sick if it eats rodents that have eaten rat baits?

Poisoning of pets by eating baited mice is theoretically possible, but uncommon.  The main reason is because the mice already sick from bleeding have digested and processed most of the poison. These mice therefore only contain a small amount of poison and pets would have to eat dozens to become affected. The main threat is from direct access to the poison itself. But if pets capture and eat a rodent which has just finished a big meal full of poison, these signs may occur.

Rodent poisoning cases are genuine emergencies, so immediate veterinary help is required.  This is the case at any stage of poisoning – just eaten, if you come home and find a chewed bait, or if your pet is unwell from the effects of bleeding. 

Be careful, be vigilant and don’t relax where these baits are concerned!

Tips to avoid your pet eating rat poison

Use conventional mouse traps or non-return cage traps for more pet friendly alternatives

  • Store bulk baits in locked cabinets or latched cupboards

  • Remember, bleeding symptoms take 3 days to develop AFTER consumption of rodent poison, so don’t relax just because signs aren’t immediate.

If concerned, contact the surgery directly on 02 6884 9900, or for an after-hours emergency 0418 638 380. 

 

Adventure Digital