What do I do if I suspect my Dog has ingested Rat Bait?

Rat bait is often formulated in appetising blocks that encourage both the rodents they are targeting, and unwitting dogs to eat them.

Rat bait is an anticoagulant rodenticide. It acts by inhibiting the recycling of vitamin K which is required for blood clotting. Dogs usually have enough vitamin K circulating in their system, dependent on clotting factors, for 72 hours after rat bait is consumed, at which time they can begin to show clinical signs. Clinical signs depend on where in the body bleeding is occurring and can include weakness, pale gums, bleeding from the nose, coughing or difficulty breathing, black faeces, bruising of the skin, acute lameness in multiple joints, and seizures.

If you know that your dog has consumed rat bait, call us for advice immediately! If you witness your dog eating rat bait, then we may be able to act quickly and induce vomiting to remove as much of the toxin as possible. If you suspect consumption of rat bait but are too late to react, or see it in the faeces (blue green faeces because of the dye in the bait) then we can monitor the effect with blood test. If you were not aware of rat bait consumption but start to see signs of spontaneous bleeding, this is an emergency and veterinary attention should be sought immediately. In severe cases, a blood transfusion may be required as a life saving measure. Rat bait has a long-lasting effect and treatment needs to continue for several weeks.

Prevention is always better than cure. Use bait stations and place them away from animals and children.