Symptoms of Rat Poisoning in Dogs & Emergency Response Tips

The poisoning of dogs by rat is especially insidious. The symptoms of poisoning are only apparent after the poison has affected the organs. It is important to be on the lookout for any signs that your dog has eaten rat-poison. The dog must be taken to the vet at the first sign of suspicion.

It is common to see warning signs that indicate rat poison was used because it is required by law. Rat poison is also required to be placed in an environment that is dog-friendly, which means using bait boxes. You should still be cautious when walking your dog, and act quickly if there is any suspicion that he may have consumed rat poison.

The symptoms of poisoning in dogs that have eaten rat poison.

Rat poison can inhibit vitamin K synthesis. When your dog consumes rat poison it can cause internal bleeding and a potentially life-threatening disruption of blood clotting. What are the symptoms?

Nervousness and restlessnessVomiting, sometimes the vomit is mixed with bloodFoaming at the mouth due to increased salivationRemains of the poison in the vomitDiarrhea, sometimes with blood in the stoolBluetonguePale or bloody gumsBlood in urineNosebleedShortness of breathCardiac arrhythmiaMuscle tremorsCrampsDecreasing body temperatureApathyLoss of consciousness

The severity of the symptoms can vary depending on how big your dog is and how much poison it ate. It is important to consider the general health of your dog.

Dogs and puppies that are chronically sick or old react more strongly to poison than adult healthy animals. Even a small amount of poison can be fatal in their case.

Rat poisoning in dogs: late symptoms

Rat poisons are designed to kill animals slowly and with a delayed reaction. Rats are highly intelligent, and they immediately recognize that something is wrong if their conspecific dies after eating a substance. It can take up to 48 hours for signs of rat-poisoning to appear, depending on the amount of poison used, the size of the dog, and the health of the animal.

Rat poison comes in many different forms, which further complicates the situation. Toxin can be found in grains, pellets, pastes or liquids. The substance is often colored with food dyes, but this is not a standard. Rat poison comes in a variety of colors, including blue, red and pink, but also green, yellow, violet, black or brown.

What are the signs of rat poisoning in dogs

You need to consider the entire picture when identifying rat poison or possible poisoning of your dog. Have you noticed any signs or warnings about rat poison in your area? Your dog may have eaten something that caused him to act differently. Remember that your dog could have consumed rat poison two days prior.

Case in point: A dog ate a poisoned rodent

Your pet may have eaten a previously poisoned rat. Indirect poisoning can result. The symptoms of indirect poisoning are less severe than those from direct poisoning, but they still can be harmful. In case of doubt, you should consult your veterinarian and bring the dead rat along. He can then check to see if the rat has rat poison and if your dog is at risk.

Emergency. If you suspect poisoning by rat poison, take your pet to the veterinarian.

As a rule, you should take your dog to a vet or an animal hospital as soon as possible if you suspect rat poison ingestion. The earlier your dog is treated for rat poison, the better its chances of surviving.

It is important to provide samples of urine, vomit and stool to the vet for diagnosis. Also, describe what happened to him. You should describe the behavior changes you noticed, as well as any other symptoms. Also, tell him what happened prior to the poisoning and the location.

Call the office in advance to let your veterinarian know when you will be arriving and how your dog should be treated. In the case of rat-poisoning, every minute counts. If there is a reasonable doubt that your dog has been poisoned by rat, the doctor will give high doses vitamin K to him via syringe. The poison may be stopped by administering high doses of vitamin K.

Consequential Damage: The effects of rat poisoning on dogs.

The antidote cannot heal internal organ damage, but can only prevent it from getting worse. If the treatment is administered in time, it’s possible to heal secondary damage caused by poisoning.

Blood transfusions can help treat anemia. The veterinarian can treat possible organ damage and bleeding into the lungs with the appropriate therapy. After 48 hours, the chances of survival increase dramatically. Rat poison can cause miscarriage in pregnant bitches.

First Aid: What to do if you suspect rat poisoning?

Activated charcoal can be used to delay the effects of rat poison, giving you more time to get your dog to the veterinarian. Although the charcoal tablets do not work as an antidote, they can help your dog avoid serious damage. The best way to determine the right dose of activated carbon for your dog is to consult with the vet at the next appointment.

You can also carry charcoal tablets pre-dosed in your first aid kit on walks to be ready for an emergency. These tablets are a great addition to the first aid kit for your dog at home.

Leash your dog and stay calm. This will give your dog a sense of security and prevent short-circuiting. Place your dog in recovery position if he is already unconscious and keep his airway wide open. Ask your vet to show you how at your next regular visit.

Caution. Caution. If you try to induce vomiting on your own, it could cause your dog to choke. If your dog is poisoned, even a mouth loop that would normally serve as a protection measure can be dangerous. Because your dog may suddenly vomit. Here, the mouth loop also poses a threat of suffocation.

Tips to prevent poisoning in dogs with rat poison

The best way to protect your dog is to keep him away from rat poison. Always keep an eye out for any warnings regarding rat poison on your regular walking routes and in your locality.

As a precaution, you should also be aware of rumors regarding poison bait. Keep your dog on leash when you go for walks or don’t let him off unattended so that he won’t eat something from the ground. Anti-poison training can also protect your dog from poisoning.