What will rat poison do to a cat

Anticoagulant rodenticides ACR These ACRs inhibit the production of Vitamin-K dependent blood clotting factors made in the liver , so when ingested in toxic amounts by dogs or cats, it can result internal bleeding. However, left untreated, ACR poisoning can be fatal. Signs to look out for include:. Treatment includes decontamination, Vitamin K1 orally typically for 30 days , blood transfusions, plasma transfusions, oxygen, and supportive care.

Cholecalciferol Vitamin D3 As an emergency critical care veterinary specialist, this is my most hated type of poisoning. Only a small amount can result in severe poisoning in both dogs and cats. This type of mouse and rat poison results in an increased amount of calcium in the body, leading to kidney failure.

Unfortunately, this type has no antidote, and is very expensive to treat, as pets typically need to be hospitalized for days on aggressive therapy. Clinical signs include:. Bromethalin Rodenticide Poisoning in Cats Bromethalin rodenticide toxicity, more commonly referred to as rat poisoning, occurs when an animal is exposed to the chemical bromethalin, a toxic substance that is found in a variety of rat and mice poisons.

Causes Bromethalin rodenticide toxicity occurs with the ingestion of rodenticides containing the chemical bromethalin. Diagnosis If bromethalin toxicosis is suspected, testing will include a urine analysis, and brain imaging with magnetic resonance imaging MRI , or a computed tomography CT scan, which may reveal excess fluid in the brain. Treatment and Care If bromethalin toxicosis occurs, your cat's digestive tract will need to be decontaminated as soon as possible.

Living and Management Bromethalin toxicosis can cause prolonged appetite loss anorexia. Prevention To prevent bromethalin toxicosis, ensure that your cat does not have access to rodent poisons. Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? Yes No. Share this article. What did you find helpful? What was not helpful? Rat Poison Ingestion in Cats. Written by: PetMD Editorial. Published: November 11, Anticoagulant Toxicity in Cats Although designed to kill rats and mice, cats often find rodenticides rat and mouse poison tempting as well.

What to Watch For Typically, it takes 2 to 5 days for the following symptoms associated with anticoagulant poisoning to appear: Bruising Pale gums Blood in urine, vomit, feces Bleeding from gums, nose, rectum, eyes, ears Weakness, staggering gait, depression Blood accumulation in the chest hemothorax , which may lead to shallow or labored breathing Blood accumulation in the abdomen hemoabdomen , which may cause the abdomen to distend Primary Cause Cats can ingest toxic doses of anticoagulants by eating rodenticide left on the ground or by eating a rodent that has ingested rodenticide.

Immediate Care Call your veterinarian, the nearest animal hospital or the Pet Poison Helpline at at , especially if you notice your cat is bleeding. If you can find the container or label for the poison, bring it with you to the veterinarian.

Veterinary Care Diagnosis If you should witness your cat eating rodenticide or see pieces of rat poison in her vomitus, anticoagulant poisoning is a near certainty. Treatment If the anticoagulant is suspected to have been ingested within the past two hours, and if you have not already done so, your veterinarian will induce vomiting.

Living and Management Once your cat is stable, she will be sent home with a vitamin K prescription to be given orally. Prevention It is best not to use rodenticides if you have pets or young children in your home. Help us make PetMD better Was this article helpful? Yes No. Increased calcium causes a constriction of blood vessels. This decreases the ability of the body to receive as much blood as it needs. The major concern is the decrease blood flow to the kidney and a buildup of the calcium mineral throughout the bloodstream and body.

Young animals are affected more than older animals. Common clinical signs are vomiting and diarrhea, depression, and increased drinking and urination. If the ingestion is caught early it should be treated by inducing vomiting, giving activated charcoal, and supportive care.

Bloodwork is indicated to find out the level of the calcium and monitor how it progresses. If the patient does develop high calcium levels, then treatment consists of supportive care to lower calcium levels such as medications and aggressive fluids.

Calcium and phosphorus levels should be monitored for up to four days post ingestion then twice weekly for two weeks thereafter. If you see your pet eat something and are unsure if it may be toxic there is a number you can call. It is always better to ask first and get treatment immediately than to wait and start treatment after symptoms develop regardless of the actual toxin involved. The Pet Poison Helpline is available 24hrs a day, seven days a week to answer your questions.

They are reachable at or on their website www. If you decide to bring your pet to the veterinarian bring a sample of the toxin in question or a package of the same type. Early identification and treatment results in a much better prognosis for your pet. The time spent trying to identify the cause can result in time lost on treatment.

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