Poisoning Due to Ingesting Rat Poison in Dogs

Written By hannah hollinger
Published: 01/19/2016Updated: 11/15/2021
Veterinary reviewed by Michele K.
Poisoning Due to Ingesting Rat Poison in Dogs - Signs, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Recovery, Management, Cost

What is Poisoning Due to Ingesting Rat Poison?

There are three most common types of rat poisons that are toxic to dogs: cholecalciferol, bromethalin and anticoagulant rodenticides. They are all extremely dangerous to dogs and can lead to life-threatening conditions and even death.

Cholecalciferol raises the levels of calcium and phosphorus in the dog’s system, which can lead to kidney failure and death if not treated properly and promptly. Bromethalin poisoning causes swelling of the brain while anticoagulant rodenticides poisoning prevents the dog’s blood from clotting, which results in severe and uncontrollable bleeding. They also require immediate therapy.

Rodenticide ingestion or simply poisoning due to ingesting rat poison is a common intoxication in dogs. Signs of the intoxication and its onset may vary depending on the kind of poison and the ingested dosage. Therefore, it is critical to identify the exact type of rodenticide, for the treatment of the wrong kind of intoxication may result in death.
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Symptoms of Poisoning Due to Ingesting Rat Poison in Dogs

  • Cholecalciferol (signs manifest between 4-36 hours after ingestion)
    • Increased drinking and urinating
    • Lethargy
    • Anorexia
    • Dehydration
    • Cardiac arrhythmia
    • Depression
    • Fatigue
  • Bromethalin
    • Large doses (signs manifest within 24 hours)
      • Severe muscle tremors
      • Hyperthermia
      • Extreme hyper-excitability
      • Focal or generalized seizures
    • Lower doses (signs manifest 1-3 days)
      • Hind limb ataxia
      • Paresis or paralysis
      • CNS depression
  • Anticoagulant Rodenticides (signs manfiest within 3-7 days)
    • Lethargy
    • Lack of appetite
    • Blood in the stool
    • Vomiting
    • Nose bleeds
    • Bleeding gums
    • Bruising

Causes of Poisoning Due to Ingesting Rat Poison in Dogs

  • Eating the rat poison
  • Secondary exposure, eating a rodent intoxicated with rodenticide

Diagnosis of Poisoning Due to Ingesting Rat Poison in Dogs

If you are inclined to think that you dog has ingested rat poison, ask for professional help immediately. If your dog has vomited, bring the sample of the vomit to your veterinarian. Most importantly, if you have found the poison itself, take it to the veterinarian's office as well, as it will significantly shorten the time your veterinarian needs to make a diagnosis. The sooner the veterinarian knows which poison has been ingested, the sooner they can start treating your dog.

  • Cholecalciferol Poisoning
    • Dogs that have been exposed to this kind of rat poisoning will first exhibit the abovementioned signs within 36 hours, followed by nausea, vomiting and hematemesis. If a veterinarian suspects that a dog has been poisoned with cholecalciferol, they will conduct a baseline biochemistry profile, which includes the analysis of both the blood plasma and other body fluids, in order to check the dog’s calcium and phosphorus levels, confirm the diagnosis and monitor the condition of the dog.
  • Bromethalin Poisoning
    • Dogs that have been exposed to bromethalin usually develop signs within 1-7 days of ingesting the poison. Veterinarians perform analysis of the liver, kidney, brain or fat in order to determine whether bromethalin is present in the dog’s system. This also enables them to find out the severity of the poisoning.
  • Anticoagulant Rodenticides
    • Anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning can be diagnosed in a number of ways, including using laboratory blood tests and blood chemistries. 

Treatment of Poisoning Due to Ingesting Rat Poison in Dogs

Cholecalciferol Poisoning
If you are absolutely sure that your dog has ingested this type of rat poison in the previous two hours, you could induce vomiting yourself, under the advice of your veterinarian. However, do not attempt to induce vomiting if you are not certain that your dog has been exposed to cholecalciferol, or if they have already vomited. Since your dog will most likely be dehydrated as a result of cholecalciferol poisoning, it’s of utmost importance to make sure that they are taking in enough water and that they are able to retain the fluid. Since this type of poison doesn’t have an antidote, your vet will administer IV fluids and diuretics, steroids and other drugs to lower the calcium levels in the animals’ body. To prevent kidney failure, it’s crucial to start the treatment as soon as possible.

Bromethalin Poisoning
The first step to treating bromethalin poisoning is to decontaminate the dog’s digestive system, which includes inducing vomiting and then administering IV fluids and other medications to lower the risk of brain swelling.

Anticoagulant Rodenticides
Since anticoagulant rodenticides can cause bleeding, the treatment includes administering blood or frozen plasma if needed. Veterinarians also give dogs vitamin K as an antidote, as the vitamin encourages normal blood clotting. It’s significant to note that you shouldn’t force vomiting unless you have been given specific instructions by your veterinarian.

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Recovery of Poisoning Due to Ingesting Rat Poison in Dogs

Cholecalciferol Poisoning
Following the first two or three days, which are most critical when this type of poisoning is concerned, your veterinarian will monitor calcium and phosphorus levels for 2-6 weeks after exposure or until they have returned back to baseline. Renal function will be monitored during that period as well.

Bromethalin Poisoning
To prevent your dog from suffering from anorexia after bromethalin poisoning, include feeding supplements in their daily diet. It will take them some time to fully recover from the toxicosis, so taking them for regular check-ups is a must.

Anticoagulant Rodenticides

Depending on the dosage ingested, your dog may recover from one week to one month. In that time period, it’s vital to monitor their condition and report any signs of illness to your veterinarian.

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Poisoning Due to Ingesting Rat Poison Average Cost

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Poisoning Due to Ingesting Rat Poison Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals

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Boston terier

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Poppy

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9 Years

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My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy
Shiver
Foul Gas,
Pain After Eating
My dog ingested something that caused severe enteritis. Radiologist said ingestion of toxins. I had her to several vets before she was diagnosed. It was 19 days and 4 vets before a diagnosis. Yes I suspected rat poison and said this each time, lost two dogs last year. Found dead squirrels on property. I use no poisons so dont know what. It's not the blood thinner. No brain swelling. Assume cholecalciferol or zinc phosphine. I'm working with her palliative. She is alive and has ups and downs. We hit day 21 now. If she eats, she gets pain. If she doesn't eat, she gets pale and weak. Ive fixed her homemade broth and put olive oil for lubrication. A half ml of mineral oil in morn and two carchoal tabs a day. And Baby Glycerin suppository in evening. If I don't give solids and only this, she gets perky and walks around. How long would repair take of her intestines? She went through regime of temeril p and orbax, from vet in NM when we were traveling. Vets here said the steroids aren't needed. I'm not so sure. The condition started out at moderate with critical bouts now waivers from serious to critical

May 2, 2018

Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM

0 Recommendations

I unfortunately don't have any way of knowing how long it might take Poppy to recover from this episode without knowing more about her lab work, history, what damage occurred, and diagnosis. Since you have seen multiple veterinarians who know more about her case, it would be a good idea to follow up with the most recent veterinarian that she saw and ask if her progress is as expected. I hope that she recovers from this.

May 2, 2018

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Chion

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Joli

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5 Years

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0 found this helpful

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0 found this helpful

My pet has the following symptoms:
Vomiting
Vomiting Unsteadiness
Our papillion mix snarfed up a couple of chocolate squares and we took her promptly to the vet when we discovered the empty wrapping. The vet induced vomiting (with a rich chocolate smell) and gave her charcoal; to be on the safe side we let her stay overnight. In a few hours she started tremors and seizures, while her heart rate remained steady--inconsistent with chocolate poisoning. After a night of trying to keep a balance between mitigating the seizures with sedatives and keeping her body temperature from plummeting by waking her up, she finally vomited some green stuff, and the vet suspects Bromethalin poisoning (elevated liver factors, which have now gone down). It's been 36 hours since her hospitalization; she is alert but a bit wobbly when walking; continues to be on IV fluids and an antibiotic to prevent lung infection; she has thrown up twice she she started getting food. Could this be a sign of ongoing poisoning? She was on the brink and is going much better, but I'm still so scared.

April 16, 2018

Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM

0 Recommendations

I'm glad that Joli is at your veterinarian receiving care. If she ate these toxins, it can take time and supportive care to help keep her alive - the fact that she seems to be improving is positive. I hope that she continues to do well.

April 16, 2018

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