Pet Toxins

Hello Pet People. Today I would like to talk to you about two common toxins that your pet may be exposed. These are the dreaded “rat poison” and “snail baits” The toxins in these products are mixed with feed materials such as rice, oats, soybeans and apples so they have an appeal to our pets tastes as well as the pests we are trying to eliminate.

Rat poison or Rodenticides are poisons that affect the blood clotting ability of the animal that eats the poison. The animal then dies of hemorrhage or bleeding into body cavities or the intestinal tract. Signs of this type of toxicity in pets are bruising on the underside of the body, bruising on the gums, pale gums and other mucous membranes, lethargy and depression. The breathing may become more rapid as the anemia or lack of blood becomes more pronounced.

The antidote for rodenticide toxicity is Vitamin K1. This is a special form of Vitamin K. The treatment may need to be carried out for many weeks depending on the type of anticoagulant used in the product. Emergency treatment such as blood transfusions may be needed if the anemia is severe. If you suspect your pet has ingested any type of rodenticide, seek veterinary care immediately and bring the product box with you. Inducing vomiting will be helpful in reducing absorption and then Vitamin K therapy will be recommended. I prefer the “slap traps” for rodents as they are more humane and not nearly as risky to our pets. Call a professional exterminator if you have a real serious rodent infestation. The risk of toxicity of a pet eating a rodent that has died from these products is low.

“Snail Baits” are another common toxin that pets are exposed. The toxic ingredient is called metaldehyde. It affects the nervous system of the snail and causes death usually by respiratory failure. Pets show nervous system symptoms such as hyper excitability, tremors, in coordination, muscle tremors and convulsions. The body temperature may be increased due to muscle activity. Depression and coma and respiratory failure may occur in the later stages. Some pets may succumb to liver failure also.

There is no antidote for metaldehyde toxicity. Treatment is aimed at reducing further absorption by inducing vomiting and controlling convulsions. Do not induce vomiting in an animal that is convulsing. Prognosis depends on the amount ingested and time interval before supportive care can be administered. There are some new snail baits available that are not toxic to pets. “Sluggo” is a brand name of one such product.

Be careful when you put these products out into your environment. Know if your neighbors use these products also. It is a real drag to treat these cases as often times the history is unclear if the pet ingested any toxin and the toxemia and clinical signs are advanced when the pet is presented.

Dr. James Speas is the owner and Executive Director of Crescenta Cañada Pet Hospital located in La Crescenta, California. He has developed a personal philosophy in the area of veterinary medicine – to always work in the direction of preventing problems before occur. Dr. Speas and his staff are proud to serve the pet communities of La Crescenta, La Canada, Glendale, Pasadena, Sunland, and Tujunga California. Call us at 818-248-3963.