Rat Bait Poisoning

As winter settles in, rodents seek warmth indoors, inevitably leading to the laying of rat bait. These baits can pose a significant, often fatal, risk to our pets.

The Threat:

• Most rat baits contain Brodifacoum, a potent anticoagulant which disrupts natural blood clotting mechanisms.

• Symptoms of rat bait poisoning are often delayed and appear 2-3 days after ingestion with pets showing signs of lethargy, pale gums, coughing, or unexplained bruising and bleeding.

Pets at Risk:

• Dogs are highly susceptible due to their inquisitive nature and rat bait’s palatability.

• Cats are less commonly poisoned by directly eating rat bait but can be affected by eating poisoned rodents.

What to Do:

• Immediate veterinary attention is crucial. Call us immediately if you’ve seen your dog eat or suspect it has eaten rat bait. Inducing vomiting can be a highly effective first step to prevent absorption.

• The cornerstone treatment for anticoagulant rat bait poisoning is Vitamin K. Vitamin K restores the normal blood clotting function. Vitamin K must be given consistently for several weeks.

• In severe cases intravenous fluids or blood transfusions may also be required.

Prevention is Key:

• Always put rat bait in secure bait stations, positioned well out of the reach of children and animals.

• Traps are a great way to reduce risk.