Rodent Poisoning:

A Common Problem For All Pet Owners

Dr. William Martin D.V.M
Parkview Pet Clinic

We see a common problem throughout the Los Angeles and surrounding areas.

Our clients come to us at the Parkview Pet Clinic in Glendale in need of immediate help - specifically relating to dogs and cats.

The whole subject of poisons can overwhelm you so I will narrow this info letter down to one area which is RAT POISONING.

The city puts out rat poison and it is available for domestic use but no matter how you put it, there is always a possibility of our pets ingesting this poison.

If you think that your dog may have been poisoned, the first thing to do is try to identify the poison. Most products containing chemicals are labeled for identification. Read the label and have someone else make a phone call to your nearest Vet Office or Emergency Pet Clinic.

There is a remedy which induces vomiting that I want to tell you about right off the bat.

The name if this substance is Ipecac syrup.

If you use this immediately it helps all the time.

Any pet owner should have this remedy available in case of emergencies. You can get it at any pharmacy such as Walgreens, Sav-On or Rite-Aid.

The following are poisons that you want to stay clear of from anyone in your family ingesting:

Warfarin (Decon, Pindone)

We see this all the time.

Warfarin is incorporated into grain feeds for use as a rat and mouse poison. It causes death by interfering with the blood clotting mechanism. This leads to spontaneous bleeding.

There are no observable signs of warfarin poisoning until the dog begins to pass blood in the stool or urine, bleeds from the nose or develops hemorrhages beneath the gums and skin. The dog may be found dead with no apparent cause. A single dose of warfarin is not as serious as repeated doses.

Strychnine

This substance is against the law.

Strychnine is used as a rat, mouse and mole poison. It is available commercially as coated pellets dyed purple, red or green. Signs of poisoning are so typical that the diagnosis can be made almost at once. Onset is sudden (less than two hours). The first signs are agitation, excitability and apprehension. They are followed rather quickly by intensely painful tetanic seizures (definition of tetanus: A disease that causes spasms of the body, stiffening of the muscles, as of the jaw, and often death. It is caused by a germ that enters the blood stream through an open wound.)

These seizures last about sixty seconds, during which the dog throws the head back, can't breathe and turns blue. The slightest stimulation, such as tapping the dog or clapping the hands, starts a seizure. This characteristic response is used to make the diagnosis. Other signs associated with nervous system involvement are tremors, champing (biting down hard and restlessly), drooling, uncoordinated muscle spasms, collapse and paddling of the legs.

Seizures caused by strychnine and other central nervous system toxins sometimes are misdiagnosed as epilepsy. This would be a mistake as immediate veterinary attention is necessary. Epileptic seizures are self-limited; the signs usually appear in a certain order, and each attack is the same. They are over before the dog can get to a veterinarian. Usually they are not considered emergencies
Treatment: With signs of central nervous involvement, don't take time to induce vomiting. It is important to avoid loud noises or unnecessary handling that trigger a seizure. Cover your dog with a coat or blanket and drive to the nearest veterinary clinic.

If your dog is showing signs of poisoning, is alert and able to swallow and hasn't vomited, induce vomiting as discussed above.

I hope this information was helpful for you and if you have any questions about poisonous materials or hazards you can call the ASPCA’s Animal Poison Control Center 24 hour hotline at 1-888-426-4435 or your local Vet Office or Emergency Pet Hospital.

Please take the time to ensure none of these chemicals are able to be reached by your pet for a safe and long, happier life.

Best Regards,

Dr. Martin DVM
Parkview Pet Clinic
(818) 244-7268