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As the temperatures start to fall into single digits, the smaller
mammals find refuge in the homes of the larger ones. Such is the
case with mice and rats, who tart searching for food indoors
during winter. For pet owners, this is not a welcome arrangement,
as they usually have a number of mechanical contraptions and
poisonous chemicals for eradicating these pets. Rodenticides,
more commonly known as at poison, are extremely effective against
rats and other rodents. However, they also pose a considerable
risk for household pets. If your dog comes into contact with a
rodenticide or ingest a poisoned rodent, he can become very ill
and even die if the toxin is fast acting.
Symptoms, diagnosis and treatment
If the poison is an anticoagulant, then it will cause internal
bleeding. You will begin to notice that your dog is lethargic or
depressed, has a decreased appetite, is unwilling to move, and is
hyperventilating. In some cases, there will be signs of external
bleeding in the gums and nose, or blood in the stool or urine.
These symptoms can worsen, and how quickly they do depends on
whether the poison is slow acting or fast acting.Bromethalin
poisons can bring about an onslaught of symptoms within hours.
Your dog will start to have tremors and seizures, weakness,
ataxia, vomiting, and loss of energy. If your dog has ingested a
large quantity of the poison for his age and size, then it can
even induce coma. Cholecalicferol is quite possible the most
dangerous of all rodenticides. Symptoms include vomiting,
weakness, anorexia, and an increase in thirst and urination.
Poisons that are made of zinc, calcium, or aluminium phosphides
are designed to mess with the digestive system, resulting in
bloat and severe chock.If your dog has come into a contact with a
rodenticide, contact the vet immediately. Take the bottle or box
along with you so that he/she can identify the poison.
Anticoagulants are usually treated by flushing the system with
activated charcoal to get rid of the poison and administering
vitamin K1 to stop the bleeding. If it has been less than two
hours since the chemical was ingested, then vomiting will be
induced to expel the toxin from the system. If the symptoms are
severe, then your dog might need a blood transfusion packed red
blood cells to replace the damaged blood clotting
proteins.Bromethalin is trickier to treat and the vet will most
likely induce vomiting and use a stomach pump and lavage to
cleanse the stomach of it contents. Activated charcoal is used to
neutralize the remaining poison. Bear in mind that the prognosis
is relatively guarded fro dogs who have ingested this poison. In
most of the cases, the dogs have to be hospitalized with no
guarantee of a complete recovery.
How to Avoid Insecticide Poisoning in Dogs and Cats
Insecticides are designed to kill insects, but they can also
seriously affect your dog or cat. Many insecticides used in
homes, gardens, parks, and even spot-on flea
treatments can easily poison your pet if not used
carefully. Dogs are especially at risk of inhaling or ingesting
debris left on grass, eating a treated plant, or
eating an undissolved pellet of water-soluble insecticide. Here’s
how to avoid insecticide poisoning.
Dangerous Ingredients in Insecticides
Several ingredients can cause severe reactions and even long-term
cognitive issues. When you are buying insecticides, look at the
label and avoid buying the most dangerous ingredients listed
below:
- Amitraz
- Acephate
- Carbofuran
- Chlorpyrifos
- Diazinon
- Disulfoton
- Fenoxycarb
- Fonofos
- Malathion
- Methomyl
- Parathion
- Permethrin (don’t use around
cats)
- Propozur
- Terbufos
- Tetrachlorvinphos (TCVP)
The most surprising of these may be permethrin, which is often
used in dog spot-on flea and tick treatment. Cats are highly
susceptible to permethrin poisoning, even through skin contact,
so if you have a cat and a dog, look for safer alternatives for
your home.
Safer Insecticide Alternatives
Below is a list of insecticides that, when used as directed, can
be safer to use around pets.
- Acetamiprid
- Imidacloprid
- Lufenuron
- Nitenpyram
- Pyriproxyfen
- S-Methoprene
- Spinosad
Follow the Label
Once you have identified which insecticides can be safely used
around your pets, it's still very important to follow directions
carefully—overdosing with a “safer” insecticide can still lead to
poisoning. Make sure to read products' fine print carefully, and
ensure that insecticides will not be mixed.
- Never apply outdoor
insecticides while your pet, any toys, or feeding bowls are on
the lawn.
- Avoid pellet pesticides that
can be mistaken for food.
- Don’t mix insecticides with
organic fertilizer -- most dogs like the taste of organic
fertilizers.
- When storing insecticides,
make sure they are out of reach and locked up so that children
and animals cannot access them.
Take Caution
When your pet is outside, it can be harder to protect them from
dangerous insecticides. Your neighbor's pesticides can also drift
into your lawn and affect your pet. It is best to get to know
your neighbor and talk with them about their pesticide use, at
least so that you know which pesticides your pet might be exposed
to. If you take your dog to a park that uses pesticides, avoid
treated areas for at least 72 hours—and waiting longer is
better.
If you suspect your dog or cat has been poisoned by an
insecticide, contact an emergency
veterinarian and poison control immediately. It's
important to gather as much information as possible:
- What the poisonous chemical
was or may have been
- How much was ingested
- The means of exposure
Bring the insecticide packaging if you can and, if your pet
has vomited, a small vomit
sample for analysis.
More on Poisoning
When to Call Animal Poison
Control
Be Prepared for Emergency Pet
Care: Steps to Take Now
The Most Poisonous Foods for
Cats
This information is for informational
purposes only and is not meant as a substitute for the
professional advice of, or diagnosis or treatment by, your
veterinarian with respect to your pet. It has, however, been
verified by a licensed veterinarian for accuracy.
