Rat Bait

Rodenticides (rat and mouse bait) are designed to be fatal and unfortunately, they work the same way in our pets. Your pet may be exposed by eating the bait directly, or by eating a poisoned rodent.

There are multiple different kinds of rodenticides, with the most common being anticoagulant rodenticides. These work to prevent blood from clotting, ultimately resulting in internal bleeding. Some common active ingredients are warfarin, brodifacoum, difenacoum and, bromadioline. No anticoagulant or phosphide rodenticide is pet safe.

Symptoms of rat bait toxicity may take a few days to show up. Signs may include:

• Lethargy or weakness

• Pale gums

• Coughing or difficulty breathing

• Nosebleed

• Bleeding gums

• Unexplained bruising

• Blood in urine or vomit 

To help prevent rat bait poisoning consider the following:

• Using traps instead of baits, in out of reach locations

• Store baits securely, in an out of reach location

• Avoid using baits in areas where pets have access

• Use bait stations

• Dispose of dead rodents promptly to avoid secondary poisoning

If you have seen your pet eat rat bait, please call us as soon as possible to discuss treatment options.

If you can identify the product ingested, that is very helpful to your vet. A handy tip is to keep a photo of the bait used on your phone!

Rodenticide poisoning is treated with Vitamin K, however, some dogs may require a blood transfusion if suffering severe blood loss, and some dogs will be fatally affected before treatment can be undertaken. Depending on the location of the bleed treatment may not be possible - for example central nervous system bleeds or bleeding affecting the airways. Vitamin K treatment is not instantaneous - it can take up to 12 hours before clotting factors are replenished.