Do you have rat bait out? Read on………….

With the dry conditions and the cold weather approaching the mice and rats are moving in. Every year in the next few months we see and increase in the number of companion animals who suffer from rodent bait toxicity.

Most rat baits work by disrupting the ability of the blood to clot. This results in excessive bleeding and anaemia which can be fatal if left untreated.

If you see your pet eating bait, suspect that they may have consumed bait or consumed a rodent that likely has died from rat bait toxicity, it is vital to present them to a vet as soon as possible. If the consumption is recent, vomiting can be induced to limit the amount of bait actually absorbed. If there has been significant absorption of the bait, then an antidote needs to be given. The antidote is Vitamin K given orally with the dose depending on how much rat bait has been eaten and the generation of bait ingested.

Most of the time, we are presented with animals for anaemia or for bleeding. In this case, there are some diagnostic tests that can be done to determine the cause of the bleeding as there are many other potential causes of anaemia. Once the diagnosis is confirmed or suspected, Vitamin K therapy is commenced. Depending on the site of the bleeding, the animal may require further treatments such as antibiotic therapy if bleeding is into the lungs or a blood transfusion if the blood loss is life threatening or bleeding cannot be controlled.

Bleeding may occur anywhere in animals that have eaten rat bait so the signs are diverse. Signs that your pet may have ingested bait include dullness and lethargy, pale gums, reduced appetite, bleeding without a reasonable explanation, dark faeces, coughing, unusual swellings or even lameness. If you notice any of these signs and there is a risk of exposure to rat bait, you should present your pet to a vet as soon as possible.

As with most diseases, prevention is better than any cure, so keeping baits in a safe place and making sure your pets do not have access to them is the best approach. There is no such thing as pet friendly bait. These baits are flavoured with bitter compounds to deter your pet from eating them. As we all know some pets will eat anything and these baits therefore, still pose a risk.