My Dog Has Eaten Rat Poison — What Do I Do?

Whether our dog has accidentally eaten rat poison, or we suspect from its behavior that it may have, we need to act quickly, since this is a life-or-death emergency.

Rodenticide poisoning in dogs is more common than we think, which is why it's important to know how to recognize it so we can act in time. Let's look at the symptoms, what you should do, how it's treated, and how to prevent it.

What Happens If My Dog Eats Rat Poison?

Rodenticides used as rat poison are anticoagulants. They antagonize vitamin K1 and interfere with the normal synthesis of clotting proteins in the liver. So, in cases of poisoning, the liver produces inactive blood clotting factors, and multiple hemorrhages appear that the body can't control.

There are two types of rodenticides: first-generation ones like warfarin, which need multiple doses to cause toxicity, and second-generation ones like brodifacoum, which are highly toxic to both rodents and our dogs after a single dose.

What Symptoms Does a Dog That Has Eaten Rat Poison Show?

Rodenticides have long half-lives, meaning they stay in the body for several days — for example, brodifacoum has a half-life of 6 days. Because of this, symptoms can appear a while after ingesting the toxin.

If we suspect it may have eaten rat poison, we need to be very alert to the first symptoms, which are:

• Apathy and weakness.
• Confusion and excessive exhaustion.
• Anorexia (loss of appetite) and pale mucous membranes.
• Polydipsia and polyuria (we'll notice it drinking and urinating more often).

If we notice these first symptoms, or if we know for certain it's ingested rodenticides, we need to see the vet immediately and not wait for the following symptoms to appear, which are:

• Bleeding under the skin and mucous membranes.
• Blood in stool, urine, or vomit. Nasal or vaginal bleeding.
• Difficulty breathing and/or coughing.

How to Help a Dog Poisoned by Rat Poison

As you probably already know, this is a serious situation where we need to act quickly to prevent it from being fatal. You need to see the vet immediately and describe the details of what happened. The vet will confirm the diagnosis through clotting time tests, hematology, blood chemistry, or ultrasound if needed.

If less than 4 hours have passed since ingestion, giving emetics to induce vomiting may be enough. It may also need an activated charcoal solution or a stomach flush. If, on the other hand, more severe symptoms have already started, blood loss will need to be corrected through fluid therapy, a whole blood transfusion, or plasma.

Either way, the antidote will be given, which is vitamin K1, preferably orally, since injections can cause bleeding. It will need a daily dose over a period of time that can vary and extend several weeks, until clotting tests come back normal. It will also need rest to prevent tissue damage until it recovers.

How to Prevent Rat Poison Poisoning in Dogs

In a situation as serious as this, it's better to prevent than to cure. That's why, if you're using rodenticides on your property, make sure the bait is completely inaccessible to your dog and remove dead rodents as often as possible. Secondary poisoning is possible from eating dead or poisoned animals.

If there's a rodent control campaign in your city, city councils provide information on the active ingredient they'll be using. You can also find out about the days and areas where it will be applied to avoid them during your walks.

References A. Khan, S. and M. Schell, M., 2020. Rodenticide Poisoning. MSD Veterinary Manual. A. Khan, S. and M. Schell, M., 2014. Anticoagulant Rodenticides (Warfarin and Congeners). MSD Veterinary Manual. A. Khan, S. and M. Schell, M., 2014. Overview of Rodenticide Poisoning. MSD Veterinary Manual. J.H. Robben, E.A.P. Kuijpers & H.C.A. Mout (1998) Plasma superwarfarin levels and vitamin K1 treatment in dogs with anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning, Veterinary Quarterly, 20:1, 24-27, DOI: 10.1080/01652176.1998.9694831 VALCHEV, I., BINEV, R., YORDANOVA, V. and NIKOLOV, Y., 2008. Anticoagulant Rodenticide Intoxication in Animals - A Review. Turk. J. Vet. Anim. Sci., 32(4), pp.237-243.