Beware, Rat Poison Kills Dogs Too!

Rat poison and dogs don't go together - it is lethal to dogs! Sorry to be so blunt, but it is. Learn how to tell if your Cocker Spaniel has accidentally eaten rodent poison and what emergency steps you can take to help save your best friend's life.

Why Is Rat Poison So Lethal To Dogs?

Rodent poison is lethal to dogs (and other pets) because it contains many dangerous chemicals, including strychnine, warfarin, sodium fluoroacetate, bromethalin, zinc phosphide, and arsenic.

Rat poison kills - keep your pet safe

Rat poison comes in many forms; blocks, pellets, liquid or powder and is usually an (attractive) bright green, turquoise, or blue colour.

The manufacturers make it taste good to encourage rodents to eat it.

However, this is a big problem for our pets because our hungry-nosed Spaniels will also want to eat it if they're unlucky enough to accidentally find it.

Rat Poison Symptoms in Dogs

Rat poison symptoms in dogs differ depending which toxic chemicals are used in each particular product, but basically, there are three broad categories of rodent poison: 

Anti-Coagulants

Bromadiolone and brodifacoum are highly toxic rat poisons which thin the blood and stop the clotting process.

If, after accidentally eating an anti-coagulant, your Cocker is injured (internally) it's possible he could bleed to death because his blood will not clot. Even just a little scratch on his skin could cause him problems.

The first visible signs of this type of poisoning are bruising of the skin, blood in your dog's pee or poop and bleeding from the nose or gums.

Other symptoms of rat poisoning are anaemia, weakness, depression, and anorexia.

Anticoagulants is the most common form of dog poisoning seen by vets.

Cholecalciferol

Cholecalciferol raises calcium to dangerous levels causing symptoms such as depression, anorexia, excessive thirst, and can lead to heart problems, renal failure and death.

Bromethalin

Bromethalin affects the brain and attacks the central nervous system. It increases sodium and water levels in the bodies cells and causes them to swell and die.

Symptoms show as loss of coordination, excitability, muscle tremors, weakness in the back legs, depression, tremors, vomiting, anorexia, seizures and death.

Other Toxins Found in Rat Poisons

There are many other toxic chemicals used in rodent poisons, such as:

Strychnine

Strychnine very quickly affects the nervous system and can cause your dog to become excited, agitated, and confused. It can also cause painful seizures which cause the dog's head to be thrown back involuntarily making it difficult to breathe.

If know or even suspect your Cocker has ingested strychnine, it's vital that you call your vet immediately. This is an emergency.

He may advise you not to touch your dog, as even the slightest touch can trigger a seizure, and he may want to come directly to you.

Zinc Phosphide

Ingestion of zinc phosphide can affect the nervous system.

It can make your dog vomit, cause abdominal pain, aimless running and howling, followed by depression, and convulsions (which may resemble those seen in strychnine poisoning).

Zinc poisoning can also cause panting and problems with breathing.

Death is usually due to respiratory arrest.

Sodium Fluoroacetate

Sodium Fluoroacetate may also be found in rat poisons. It's extremely potent and can kill fairly quickly.

Phosphorus

Phosphorus is another toxin used in rat poisons.

The first signs of poisoning may be staggering (your dog appears 'drunk'), vomiting, and diarrhoea, which may seem to settle down, but will begin again and could include pain in the abdomen and convulsions.

Your dog may even go into a coma.

Typical Rat Poisoning Symptoms In Dogs

Typical symptoms of rodent poisoning are as follows:

• Pale or bleeding gums
• Drooling
• Bleeding nose
• Continued bleeding from a cut or graze
• Blood in the urine and faeces
  
• Fever
• Coughing
• Weakness and fatigue
• Muscle Tremors
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
  
• Breathing problems
• Internal bleeding
• Swollen, firm abdomen
• Collapse
• Death

If You Think Your Dog Has Eaten Rodent Poison...

If you suspect your Cocker Spaniel has eaten any form of poison, even though he may not yet be showing signs of poisoning, or signs of being ill, you should contact your vet immediately.

If you actually saw your dog eat the poison (and are certain therefore that it's recent) your vet may ask you to induce vomiting, otherwise he will either want you to bring your Cocker to the surgery or he may want to come to you.

It would help the vet if you could tell him exactly what your dog ate. If you have the manufacturer's packaging listing the ingredients, and some of the poison left in the bag, all the better.

Also, let the vet know how much he ate (if known) and at what time, as well as the symptoms you've witnessed and approximately when they began.

Play it safe and call your vet immediately.

An early diagnosis could save your dog's life! Learn more.

Treatment For Rat Poisoning In Dogs

Depending on how advanced the poisoning is, your vet may induce vomiting, give your dog activated charcoal to help stop the toxins being absorbed into his body.

He may want to check the blood for clotting times and test for anaemia.

If an anti-coagulant was swallowed, he may give your dog vitamin K1 to help thicken the blood. He may also feel the need to give a plasma transfusion or, in serious cases, a blood transfusion.

Dogs can survive rodent poisoning, depending on how much they ate and how quickly diagnosis and treatment was given. However many don't survive.

Please don't let your dog become a sad statistic. Keep all poisons safely locked away from dogs and children.