Dog Rodenticide Poisoning In India

Rajiv writes from Kalra, India: Doctor, my Lhasa Apso, 2 years old, ate a rat which had suspected to eaten rat poison. We tried vomiting with salt water and took to our veterinarian who gave injection to induce vomiting however Scooby slept so he gave Vitamin K injection and gave purgative pills for night. Dog is normal after 5 to six hours apart from diarrhea and drip to cover dehydration. What other monitoring/test is required since our veterinarian has not talked about any blood test regards -Rajiv

The chemical formula for brodifacoum, a widely-used and very powerful rodenticide.

Rajiv’s Scooby faces a problem that is common around the world. Many, many places suffer from an overabundance of rodents and the horrible diseases they carry. In some countries the rodent population may even be the number one public health problem.

As a result, efforts are widespread to control rats and mice, and poisons that are attractive to them are also attractive to dogs, cats, even children. Brightly-colored pellets of rodenticides such as brodifacoum catch the victim’s attention, then the taste makes them want to consume it in maximal amounts.

GrandDog Bogie is an excellent example of a Lhasa Apso.

The Lhasa Apso has retained its hunting instincts, such if it catches an ill rodent that has consumed poison, then eats the carcass (especially the intestines, where the poison is greatest), that dog becomes at risk for secondary poisoning from the original, intended victim.

Rajiv, your pet’s doctor has done all the right things. Salt water vomiting induction can be dangerous, so be sure to bookmark our link for the proper way to induce vomiting when you can’t reach your veterinarian promptly. The initial injection of Vitamin K1 was a good start. Be sure to use oral medication for a minimum of 30 days. Followup blood testing for clotting capabilities will be very important.

Good luck with Scooby, Rajiv, and keep us posted on his progress.

See you tomorrow, Dr. Randolph.

Related posts:

  1. Rat Poison (Rodenticide) Treatment In Dogs And Cats
  2. Treatment For Rat Poison In Dogs And Cats
  3. Don’t Take Modern Veterinary Care For Granted

2 Comments to “Dog Rodenticide Poisoning In India”

  1. Dr. James W. Randolph 26 August 2011 at 9:46 pm #

    I can think of NO justification for stopping the Vitamin K therapy. If there is ANY chance he got ANY rat poison, even small amounts can be fatal. Vitamin K tablets are cheap and side effects are rare. Why would you NOT continue with the therapy, I just don’t see the downside. On the other hand, you could have weekly clotting tests, but that would be more invasive than Vitamin K therapy, and more costly, too.

  2. rajiv 26 August 2011 at 1:02 pm #

    THANKS, SIR, I’M REASSURED ABOUT SCOOBY. DOCTOR, SCOOBY DIDN’T GET BLEEDING STOOLS, SEIZURES OR VOMITING EVEN ON 5TH DAY. DOCTOR DISCONTINUED PURGATIVES AS HIS VITAL SIGNS ARE OK AND IS NOW ACTIVE AND NORMAL APETTITE. MY VETERINARIAN HAS DROPPED VITAMIN K TABLETS AS I FEEL THAT THE RAT WAS CAUGHT DIRECTLY AND ONE WHO PERHAPS DIDN’T EAT POISON. PLEASE GUIDE, REGARDS /RAJIV /INDIA.


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