Is rat poison toxic to dogs?

What are the main types of rat poison?

"Rat poison" covers four main groups of chemicals that work in completely different ways. A rodenticide is any product made to kill rats or mice, and the baits often look alike even when the poison inside is different.

Anticoagulants are the most familiar. The newer "second-generation" types, such as brodifacoum and bromadiolone, are far more potent than the older ones and can poison after a single feed. The Merck Veterinary Manual notes that US data show anticoagulant cases falling and bromethalin cases rising, so the bait in a shop or a pest controller's box may not be the type you expect.

Why does the packet matter so much?

Because the treatment for one type does nothing for another. The antidote for anticoagulants has no effect on bromethalin, vitamin D3 or phosphides, and each of those needs a different approach. The Merck Veterinary Manual calls accurate identification of the product critical to successful treatment, and warns that bait colour, shape and size cannot be used to tell the types apart.

Bring the packet, box or bait station. If the active ingredient is not clear, Pet Poison Helpline notes that the US EPA registration number (EPA Reg. No.) on the label lets their vets identify it. If you used a pest control company, ask them which product they used. If the type is unknown, the vet has to treat for several possibilities at once.

What will the vet do?

If your dog has no signs and ate the bait recently, the vet will usually make your dog vomit and may give activated charcoal, repeated over a day for bromethalin. With phosphides the vet takes special care, because fumes from the vomit are toxic to people; Merck advises doing it outdoors or in a well-ventilated area and driving to the clinic with the windows open. Pet Poison Helpline also advises never feeding a dog after a phosphide ingestion, because food increases gas production.

After that, treatment depends on the type:

• Anticoagulants: the vet either starts the antidote straight away, usually for about four weeks, or checks a clotting test about 48 hours after ingestion. A clotting test is repeated a few days after the course ends. Dogs that are already bleeding are treated in hospital, typically for one to three days.
• Bromethalin: there is no antidote, so early decontamination is the main treatment, with medicines to reduce brain swelling and control tremors and seizures if they develop. Recovery can take weeks.
• Vitamin D3: blood calcium and kidney values are monitored for days to weeks, with fluids and medicines to lower calcium. VCA describes the outlook as good if treatment starts before calcium rises, and guarded to poor once the kidneys fail.
• Phosphides: supportive care and monitoring. Merck reports a good outlook for dogs still normal 12 hours after ingestion.

How do I stop it happening again?

1. Use traps or tamper-resistant bait stations placed where your dog cannot reach or chew them.
2. Keep a photo of the label of every rodenticide used at home, in sheds and by pest control.
3. Check gardens, garages and walks for bait that rodents may have moved.
4. Keep your dog from eating dead or dying rodents.

Cats are at risk too: see rat poison in cats. Slug pellets are another garden poison that Pativo's emergency floor always rates as "go now".