SPIKE IN POOCH POISONINGS
DUBBO veterinarians have seen a record number of pets suffering rodenticide toxicity, or mouse and rat bait poisonings, in recent months.
Such poisoning can occur if a pet ingests the bait directly or eats a rodent which has consumed the bait prior.
The bait acts as an anticoagulant by interfering with the animal’s ability to produce blood clotting factors.
Local vet Dr Duncan Mcginness said last month he saw the most amount of bait poisoning cases in over 20 years.
“In February we did 58 clotting tests or 10 to 20 clotting tests per week,” he told Dubbo Photo News.
“Most of these tests have been diagnosed as positive rodenticide poisoning.”
According to Dr Mcginness, often owners have witnessed their pets eat the bait and rush them to a clinic before physical signs are shown.
If left longer, signs and symptoms of rodenticide poisoning include, but are not limited to, lethargy, loss of appetite, pale gums, nose bleeds, bleeding under the skin (swelling), blood in urine or stool, coughing, pain and vomiting.
A clotting test is done upon arrival to determine how long the pet’s blood takes to clot and, should it take longer than normal, it will be diagnosed and treated for rodenticide toxicity.
“The clotting factors need to be restored by giving vitamin K, or in some cases they require plasma or blood transfusions,” Dr Mcginness said.
“A course of vitamin K for three to four weeks and then a repeat coagulation test is recommended two to three days after finishing medication.
“More medication may be needed if clotting has not returned to normal.”
Depending on the size of the animal and severity of the case, such treatment can cost between $500 and in excess of $1500.
Last week, the team at Pet Medical Centre (PMC) Dubbo treated a young kelpie.
The pup arrived at PMC with lethargy, hypothermia, laboured breathing and a mild ‘huff’ type cough.
Dr Ross Pedrana immediately performed a clotting test, confirming the poisoning diagnosis, before vitamin K injections and antibiotics were administered.
“The dog was placed on an intravenous fluid drop and given a blood transfusion,” Dr Pedrana said.
“The animal stayed in hospital under our care for three days and was discharged with vitamin K tablets and oral antibiotics.”
Both Dr Mcginness and Dr Pedrana agree that there is no safe way to use baits when you own pets.
“We have seen many animals present where the owners are certain that their animals cannot access the bait due to only being placed in the ceiling or bait stations, yet their pets are still affected,” Dr Mcginness said.
“This could be due to eating an excess of baited mice, or the mice moving the baits around where the pets can access it, or pets destroying the bait stations.
“Even owners who have not had any bait on their property, yet the neighbours have; we are seeing baited animals.”
Dr Mcginness said the only way to avoid such poisonings is to avoid baited mouse traps entirely.