TL;DR: Rat poison ingestion is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate veterinary intervention. If you suspect your dog has consumed rodenticide, transport them to an emergency clinic immediately and bring a photo of the product packaging.
What is rat poison ingestion and how does it affect my dog?
Rat poisons, or rodenticides, are highly toxic chemicals designed to kill pests. Many of these products contain bright green, teal, or blue dyes. When a dog ingests the poison, these dyes can tint their vomit or stool, providing a clear visual warning that a toxic substance has been consumed. These poisons typically work by preventing blood clotting or causing brain swelling.
Is rat poison ingestion a veterinary emergency for my dog?
- Yes, this is a High Urgency Emergency.
- If your dog is vomiting green and you suspect rat poison, you must transport them to an emergency veterinary clinic immediately.
- Do not wait for more severe symptoms like lethargy, nosebleeds, or seizures to appear, as these indicate that internal damage is already occurring.
How can a photo of the packaging help the veterinarian triage my dog?
- Veterinary teams benefit greatly from seeing direct evidence of the toxin.
- If it is safe to do so, take a clear photo of the vomit and, most importantly, the packaging of the rat poison.
- Identifying the specific active ingredient (such as Bromethalin, Cholecalciferol, or an Anticoagulant) allows the vet to start the correct life-saving treatment or antidote immediately upon your arrival.
Clinical Context (Merck Veterinary Manual)
If a dog vomits after potential ingestion of green rat poison (anticoagulant rodenticide), evidence of exposure should be investigated, such as a missing or chewed bait package or greenish-blue feces. Absence of a known exposure history does not rule out poisoning. Diagnostic evaluation should include prothrombin time (PT) and activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT); prolonged PT or APTT with normal fibrinogen, fibrin degradation products, and platelet counts suggests anticoagulant rodenticide toxicosis. Serum or plasma can be analyzed for the presence of the specific anticoagulant. If zinc phosphide is suspected, emesis can be induced with apomorphine if the animal has not vomited already, and gastric acid reduction with magnesium hydroxide or famotidine (1 mg/kg SC) may be beneficial. Consider activated charcoal unless vomiting is ongoing due to aspiration risk. Baseline biochemical profile and repeat liver and renal values at 24, 48, and possibly 72 hours are recommended. If bromethalin ingestion is suspected, emesis should be induced with apomorphine within 4 hours of ingestion, followed by activated charcoal (1-2 g/kg). Repeated doses of activated charcoal may be helpful due to enterohepatic recirculation of bromethalin.
Chapter: Toxicology, Hematology
Source: The Merck Veterinary Manual, 11th Edition (Page 3166)