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Veterinary
Corner
By Brian Serbin, DVM
Rodent Control and Your Pet
Veterinary Corner
By Brian Serbin, DVM
Rodent Control and Your Pet
The roof rat problem plaguing the
Arcadia area has been making headlines for several months. Many aspects
of the problem have been raised: the diseases they transmit, ridding yards
of food sources, trapping and poisoning. Rodent control can be difficult.
Trapping of rodents is a slow process and may take time to control the
problem. Poisoning is an easier, quicker, and more economical way to control
the problem, but it has its consequences. These consequences include the
possibility of our pets (both dogs and cats) [or wild birds!] ingesting
the poison directly or indirectly through ingestion of a dead or dying
rat.
Rodenticide poisoning is not an uncommon
problem seen in a veterinary hospital. Most commonly used rodenticides
have similar actions and directly affect an animal's ability to coagulate
(clot) its blood. Animals that have ingested such a poison show signs
of lethargy (tiredness), sneezing with bloody discharge, bloody stools,
bruising, difficulty breathing, seizures, and sudden onset blindness.
Signs are usually seen within three to five days after exposure and toxic
dosages depend on the "class" of poison ingested.
It is important that if owners see
or are suspicious of exposure that they seek
veterinary care immediately. If
treated at the time of exposure, animals can be made to "vomit-up" the
toxin, which could lower the levels of exposure and improve prognosis.
Tests can be performed that can suggest coagulation system disorders and
thereby rule-in or ruleout exposure. And supportive care can be initiated
to lessen the effects of the poison. The antidote (specific treatment)
for rodenticide poisonings is Vitamin K. Vitamin K is available in injectable
and oral forms. Treatment starts with injections and continues with oral
medicine and usually lasts for-up to 21 days. Reexamination by your veterinarian
to ensure improvement is also required. It also should be noted that oral
Vitamin K is extremely expensive.
Rodenticide poisoning can be a
serious problem in both dogs and cats [and wild birds!]. Those
of us who live in the Arcadia area and are using poisoning as a
means to control the roof rat problem need to be cautious and aware
of the consequences of its use.
Contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center,
1-800-548-2423 - $45 charge - if you have any questions or concerns.
Brian Serbin, DYM, works
at Ingleside Animal Hospital, at 5130 East Thomas Road., 602-840-3446.
Copyright © 2002
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