Anticoagulant rodenticide toxicosis

Abstract

While anticoagulant rodenticide ingestion is very common, especially in dogs, many animals do not develop signs. In symptomatic animals all clinical signs are related to coagulopathy, which can occur anywhere in the body. Internal bleeding is most common, particularly into the lungs. Initial signs may be non-specific with lethargy, weakness, anorexia, cough, depression and pale mucous membranes. Bleeding does not generally occur until 3–5 days after ingestion. The prothrombin time is the first test to become prolonged (but not until at least 36 hours post-ingestion) and the first to recover, so is used to monitor the need for antidotal therapy. Vitamin K1 is the specific antidote for anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning and it is required for at least 21 days because of the long half-life of these compounds. Prognosis depends on the severity and location of the bleeding.