If you’ve ever had unwelcome mice in your home, the temptation to use poison as a quick fix can be all too real. While it may seem like an easy solution, using mouse poison can have negative consequences if you have a pet. In fact, there are many hidden hazards associated with this type of pest control that could put your four-legged family members at risk. Continue reading below to discover what you need to know about mice poisons and how they could harm your beloved family pet.
How Mice Poison Can Harm Dogs and Cats
Poisoning from rodenticide ingestion is not uncommon amongst dogs and cats. People use these poisons in areas such as garages, stables, farms, vehicles, homes, parks, and wildlife areas. There’s a wide variety of mouse poisons that come in a range of different colors and formulations, such as pellets, bait blocks, soft bait, grain-based baits, and more. Even products that look and sound similar can contain very different poisoning agents. If the active ingredient cannot be found on the packaging, locate the EPA registration number and Pet Poison Helpline can accurately identify the active ingredient with this number.
There are four common active ingredients found in mice and rat poisons. These include long-acting anticoagulants, cholecalciferol, bromethalin, and phosphides. Each ingredient has a specific mechanism in the poison and not all of them can be counteracted with a treatment of Vitamin K1. If you suspect that your pet ingested mice poison, determine the active ingredient in the poison and call Pet Poison Helpline and your veterinarian immediately. If you need help finding the active ingredient, follow the steps provided above.
Symptoms of Mice Poison Ingestion
If your pet has ingested rodenticides, they may experience severe clinical signs. Symptoms of poisoning will depend on the active ingredient found in the mice poison. Potential signs to watch out for include:
- Bloody stools
- Difficulty breathing
- Weakness
- Coughing
- Vomiting
- Pale gums
- Lethargy
- Depression
- Collapse
- Seizures
- Internal bleeding
- Increased thirst and urination
- Loss of appetite
Treatment
If your dog or cat ingested mice poison, look at the packaging and identify what the active ingredient is. By doing so, Pet Poison Helpline can determine the severity of the poisoning and the next steps are. Next, call your veterinarian and Pet Poison Helpline at (855) 764-7661 for life-saving advice. Take your pet to the veterinary clinic so they can receive immediate treatment. Specific treatment will depend on the type of poison ingested, the dosage, and when the ingestion occurred. Commonly, decontamination will be necessary and aggressive care will occur. Hospitalization may be needed for observation and testing. Seeking treatment immediately can save your pet’s life and prevent high costs for medical care.
