Most people believe that most often pets die from infectious diseases, but this is not entirely true. Undoubtedly, diseases are dangerous, but much more often the sudden death of an animal is associated with poisoning. Poor feed, a poisonous plant eaten can cause death. Very often, rat poisoning in dogs leads to such consequences. Its symptoms are very characteristic, it is impossible not to notice them.
How does poisoning occur?
Rat poisons, of which there are several varieties, have a rather unpleasant odor. However, manufacturers of poison for rodents give it a meat flavor, which, unfortunately, attracts not only mice and rats, but also dogs. Most often, poisoning occurs during a walk, when the animal can catch and eat a rodent that has already taken poison.
It happens that a four-legged friend eats a rat bait disguised as meat processed with meat flavoring. Pet owners should be very careful when walking. They should be aware that 80% of dogs can be rescued with timely contact with a veterinarian, but with repeated intoxication, the chances of recovery are reduced, as the animal develops an increased sensitivity to these poisons.
Varieties of rat poisons
It is no coincidence that we want to draw your attention to this issue. It is very important to know which rat poison caused the poisoning. As the name implies, these substances are designed to kill rodents. They are used to make baits, usually on a grain basis. They produce pasta, granules, gels and finished briquettes. Rodenticides are divided into two groups:
- acute action;
- chronic and subacute action.
Only baits made using poisons of the second group can be found on sale, as they are less toxic to humans and animals. In Russia, a limited number of rodenticides are allowed for use, which are included in the lists of the catalog of agrochemicals and pesticides of Rospotrebnadzor.
Rodenticides that belong to rat poisons:
- bromadiolone;
- brodifacum;
- triphenacin;
- isopropylphenacin;
- ethylphenacin;
- flocumafen;
- zinc phosphide;
- rats (alpha-naphthylthiocarbamide).
Symptoms of rat poisoning in a dog and treatment depend on the group that includes rodenticide.
The effects of poisons on the body of a dog
The negative effect of rat poison, as well as the severity of poisoning is classified by the composition of the toxins that make up its composition. The most common means for baits are considered to be the first generation anticoagulants (triphenacin, ethylphenacin, warfin and others). If such poisoning with rat poison in a dog has occurred, the symptoms and consequences will not be very severe. Dogs are sensitive to warfarin, for them a lethal dose is 6 mg / kg of body weight.
The second generation anticoagulants include: flocumafen, brodifacum and bromadiolone. Compared with the chemicals described above, they are eliminated from the body much more slowly, and besides, they have the ability to accumulate. Symptoms of poisoning in a dog with rat poison of this group will be more pronounced, and treatment will be long.
Another dangerous tool that can kill not only the rodent, but also the dog, is the "Rat." Today it is not used too often, because it is very toxic. If your dog eats such a bait, he will have cramps very soon - symptoms of poisoning in a dog with rat poison. The dose, which can be fatal, ranges from 60 to 150 milligrams per kilogram of weight. The product is available in the form of a 10% gel.
Professional teams
And another remedy that is often used in rodent control is zinc phosphide. It does not happen on free sale. It is used only by experts in the destruction of rodents. This is due to its high toxicity. In a dog that has eaten the bait with this dangerous poison, the gastric mucosa and nervous system begin to break down. An antidote must be given immediately. Only a veterinarian can do this. Therefore, the owner should be very careful and when manifesting suspicious symptoms, immediately lead his friend to the clinic for testing.
The danger of such situations is that most owners cannot distinguish the symptoms of rat poisoning in a dog from other diseases, as well as poisoning. In this regard, they lose time without giving their pet first aid, and do not go to the clinic. Often this can cause irreversible effects in the body of the animal.
Symptoms of anticoagulant poisoning and treatment
Rat poison, which contains anticoagulants, reduces blood coagulation. As a result, severe internal bleeding develops. Bromadiolone and brodifacum are the most commonly used poisons with such properties. The rate of manifestation of the symptoms of poisoning depends on the amount of active substance in the rat bait.
There is not much of it in bromadiolone, it acts slowly, and the symptoms of poisoning in dogs with rat poison of this group can occur within five days. Poison can act instantly on a dog that has been poisoned by brodifacum. These toxic substances are quickly eliminated from the body.
Symptoms of poisoning in a dog with rat poison, which contains anticoagulants, are manifested:
- bleeding gums;
- bleeding from the nose;
- diarrhea, which may be with blood;
- blood in the urine;
- vomiting
- pallor of the mucous membranes;
- cough with bloody foam;
- lack of appetite.
Such manifestations of the disease as a whole or the appearance of one of them is a signal to immediately contact the clinic. Another characteristic symptom of rat poison poisoning in dogs is a lethargic condition. It is manifested by lethargy, lethargy, drowsiness, shortness of breath.
The antidote for dogs poisoned with such poisons is the introduction (intramuscular) of vitamin K. The treatment of the disease is long - more than a month. It ends only when the blood test returns to normal. Treatment is carried out in a clinical setting. The doctor injects two to five milligrams of vitamin per kilogram of animal weight. But if you are sure that the intoxication occurred precisely with the 1st generation anticoagulant, then the dose can be reduced to 0.5 milligrams per kilogram of weight.
Important! If dog poisoning is caused by anticoagulants, first aid should not be used to rinse the stomach and induce vomiting. This will only increase bleeding.
Symptoms of poisoning with poisons containing vitamin D3
Poisoning the animal with poison, which includes a large amount of vitamin D3, causes renal failure with further fatal outcome, in the absence of qualified assistance for two to three days.
Symptoms
- frequent urination
- intense thirst;
- unpleasant odor from the mouth, reminiscent of the smell of urine;
- lethargic condition.
Although a special antidote does not yet exist against this poison, timely treatment in veterinary clinics leads to the complete restoration of animals. The course of treatment includes the use of sorbents and diuretics. Its duration is at least 1.5 months.
Calcium Cyanide Poisoning
Brometaline is a potent substance that causes (in large quantities) a violation of the central nervous system, swelling of the meninges. Failure to help on time leads to death. What are the symptoms of poisoning in a dog with rat poison containing calcium cyanide? These include:
- movement disorders;
- loss of coordination;
- paralysis of individual limbs or the whole body;
- cramps.
If a small dose of poison has got into the animal’s body, then after two days the symptoms of poisoning in the dog with rat poison of this type will appear. If the dog received a large amount of toxic substance - the reaction will follow in an hour. Although modern drugs used for deratization contain a small dose of calcium cyanide, severe poisoning is unlikely.
There is no antidote against this poison. Helping the animal comes down to using activated carbon or another sorbent and diuretics. Gastric lavage required.
Phosphides of aluminum and zinc: symptoms and medical advice for poisoning a dog with rat poison
These are very toxic substances that make up rodent control agents. For deratization they are used less often than others. Once in the stomach, phosphides with hydrochloric acid react and release phosphine gas, which affects the liver.
Symptoms
- nausea and vomiting;
- severe flatulence;
- the appearance of fear in an animal;
- stomach ache.
Veterinarians strongly recommend giving up self-medication in case of such poisoning, since the gas released with vomiting is toxic. It is dangerous for people. Doctors inform that there is no antidote to these substances, but timely treatment is effective. Therapeutic procedures are carried out in the open air, and if this is not possible, they open doors and windows.
Therapy includes:
- Antacids (“Maalox”) that neutralize the hydrochloric acid in the stomach. This reduces gas formation.
- Activated charcoal and gastric lavage.
If the composition of the rat poison is unknown
If the owner does not know the substances that make up the poison, general therapy is performed. It is effective and universal in case of poisoning with various substances:
- ten days a dog is injected with vitamin K;
- droppers with glucose that support the general condition of the animal;
- use heart drugs and diuretics.
If treatment is started late, and the animal’s condition is alarming, drugs are prescribed to restore liver and kidney function, relieve edema, and a blood transfusion is often required.
Rat Poisoning a Dog: Symptoms and Treatment at Home
It seems to us that we talked about the symptoms in sufficient detail. Now you need to explain what the owner of the animal must do before meeting with the veterinarian. When symptoms of rat poisoning in a dog appear, first aid includes the following procedures:
- vomiting (for this it is necessary to put salt on the root of the tongue of the animal);
- it is necessary to give polysorb, activated carbon;
- flush the stomach with water at room temperature.
- pour water into the animal’s throat with a syringe or a large syringe without a needle;
- give a laxative.
These recommendations are suitable for situations where the owner knows which substance caused the poisoning, since it is strictly forbidden to rinse the stomach, give a laxative and induce vomiting if the poisoning is caused by anticoagulants.
If more than four hours have passed after ingestion of animal poison, it is not advisable to induce vomiting, since the poisonous substance that has entered the stomach is absorbed into the blood. As a rule, the poisoned dog has no appetite, but if it asks for food, do not feed it, and do not limit it in water.
Consequences of poisoning
Veterinarians warn that even knowing the symptoms of rat poisoning in a dog, treating at home is far from always effective. After an intensive treatment course, the veterinarian will do laboratory tests and, if necessary, prescribe further treatment.
Complications after poisoning are usually associated with liver function. Sometimes there are problems with the restoration of blood coagulability. There may be bleeding during injuries, bleeding from the gums.
Poison Prevention
Based on their observations, veterinarians conclude that most often poison dogs are poisoned by dogs that walk on their own. They recommend not only to go out with their pet, but also to put a muzzle on him so that he does not grab the bait. Avoid places that are supposed to kill mice and rats.