Rat poisoning in dogs

My dog has eaten rat poison – what should I do?

If you suspect your dog has eaten rat poison, it is important to remain calm. Rat poison can be fatal for dogs, cats and all small animals, so it is extremely important to see a veterinary surgeon. Below is information on why rat poison is dangerous to your dog, and what to do in the event of them ingesting it.

Is rat poison harmful to dogs?

Yes. Rat poisons and mouse poisons, also known as rodenticides, are products formulated to kill rodents. These products contain chemicals that are often highly toxic to dogs and can cause kidney failure, organ damage, internal bleeding and even death if eaten by your dog. Many modern rodenticides have a palatable flavour to attract animals, and they could look like a tasty snack to bait your pup.

What would rat poison do to a dog?

This depends on the type of poison as there are several different types, and they act differently depending on the poisonous active ingredient they contain. The most common type in the UK is anticoagulant rodenticides, which prevent blood from clotting, leading to internal bleeding.

Other varieties include:

  • Cholecalciferol (vitamin D3), which ultimately causes severe, acute kidney failure
  • Zinc and aluminium phosphides, which release phosphine gas once in the stomach
  • Bromethalin, which works to cause brain swelling

As well as these, there are also a number of popular rodent poisons on the market containing the substance called Alphachloralose. This works by depressing the central nervous system and treatment is very different to poisoning by anticoagulant rodenticides.

What to do if a dog eats rat poison?

It is extremely important to call your vet. Rat poisoning in dogs is an emergency and cannot be left to see if improvement is made. Even if you suspect it is a small amount of poison, it is still very important for your dog to be monitored by a vet.

Your vet will want to know as much information as possible in order to identify the type of poison and decide on the best course of treatment. If you can, take note of the following information to tell the vet:

Your dog’s weight
The day and time of exposure
Brand name and manufacturer
Active ingredients and their concentration
Package size
Approximately how much is missing from the pack
Take the packaging with you if possible

What does rat poison look like?

Rodenticides can be found in different forms, such as pellets, blocks, grains, gels, and liquids. Many vary in colour and many of these rat bait products look very similar, making it extremely difficult to identify the type of rat poison based on appearance alone. That’s why it’s vital that you know the exact product your dog has been exposed to so your vet can provide the appropriate treatment.

How to tell if a dog ate rat poison

Symptoms in dogs differs depending on the type of poison they’ve been in contact with. If your dog has eaten an anticoagulant rat poison, they are at risk of internal bleeding, which can be fatal if not treated quickly.

Signs may not display until around 3-5 days after ingestion, so it’s still vital that your dog receives treatment for rat poisoning, even if they aren’t showing any clinical signs or symptoms.

Signs of internal bleeding can include:

  • Weakness and lethargy
  • Vomiting or coughing blood
  • Nose bleeds
  • Bleeding from the gums
  • Bleeding when doing the toilet
  • Blood in dog poop
  • Bruising
  • Breathing difficulties (caused by bleeding into the lungs)

How much rat poison will kill a dog?

The effect of rat poison on dogs depends on the type of poison and the amount consumed. Some toxins are formulated to work gradually after multiple feedings, while other toxins will poison rodents (and other animals) after just one dose. If you think your dog has ingested even a small amount of rat poison, call a vet as soon as possible to minimise the time between exposure and treatment.

Emergency treatment

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