AUTUMN RISK
RODENTICIDE POISONING
At this time of the year , rats and mice come sneaking into the house to avoid the cold and look for easy pickings .
There are just a few things to know before you reach for the rat bait . Poisoning from rodenticides is one of the most common types of poison cases seen by vets . The best way to avoid an animal being poisoned is to be careful with the use and application of poisons .
Ensure poisons are put away in secure cupboards . Remember that cats can climb and even if they don ’ t eat the poison they could knock it off the shelf where it could be made available to the less discerning pet ( or child ). When putting out bait ensure it is placed in a secure bait-trap that only rats and mice can get into .
Should you suspect that your pet may have ingested any poisons then the identification of what they may have eaten is paramount to enable the vet to treat your pet correctly . Take the container , packet or bottle with you so that they can identify the poison and treat accordingly . A sample of the vomit and / or stool may also be of assistance .
Remember that our pets can get secondary poisoning . This is caused by eating a rat or mouse that has ingested poison ! So watch for symptoms and if you have any concerns take your animal straight to the vet .
Many rodenticides work by having an anticoagulant as the active ingredient . The purpose of this is to block the synthesis of vitamin K , which causes spontaneous and uncontrolled bleeding thus causing haemorrhaging and death . Symptoms can start to appear over a period of up to four days after ingestion and can differ depending on the type of poison , the amount ingested , and the size , age and health of your pet .
Symptoms may include
• breathing difficulty
• weak and unsteady on their feet
• seizures
• diarrhoea
• vomiting ( may or may not have blood )
• fever
• blood in urine and / or faeces
• bleeding from nose , gums or rectum
• very pale gums
• bruising and hematomas under the skin
• abdominal swelling and tenderness
There are two common types of anticoagulant poisons with new baits that can stay for up to four weeks in an animal ’ s system . The first anticoagulant poison is cumulative , meaning that it will require multiple feedings to kill rodents . The second is more deadly , killing in a single dose . This is now a common poison used by local councils in the culling of rabbits , and “ Pindone ” can be seen at many local reserves or parks . It is a requirement by law to place signage at entrances to all reserves where bait has been laid , including information about control dates , antidotes and contact numbers . But be aware that , because of the size of rabbits , these traps can be accessed by small dogs , cats and children .
Should you suspect that your pet has ingested poison take it to your vet immediately . They will start by performing a thorough physical examination and they will require a history of your dog ’ s health and recent activities . A complete blood profile will be conducted , including a chemical blood profile , a blood count and a urinalysis . They will also do a clot check where they test how long it takes for the blood to clot . This can help to determine the severity of the poisoning .
Treatment may include administering whole blood or plasma . Vitamin K is used as an antidote and they will receive oral or multiple subcutaneous ( just under the skin ) injections as required . Recovery time can vary depending on the severity of the poisoning and unfortunately not all pets survive . This is why ensuring vigilance in the storing of poisons and medications is paramount . When walking your dog , put your phone away , pay attention to what your dog is doing and watch for traps and signs of poisons .
You will be surprised at the number of everyday household items in the home that are poisonous to animals . For a free downloadable list of poisons go to PET First Aid & Training ( NZ ) Ltd on http :// www . petfirstaidandtrainingnz . co . nz or
CALL 0508 PET FIRST
If you have any concerns take your animal to the nearest vet !
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