If you believe your dog, cat or other pet has ingested rat bait, it is important to visit our emergency vet as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and treatment may prove lifesaving for your furry friend. You must bring them straight to the pet emergency vet so our friendly team can administer the necessary treatment for recovery.
How can consuming rat bait impact my pet?
The effects on a pet which has consumed rat bait will depend on what kind of bait they have eaten and how long ago. If you have not seen your pet ingest rat bait but notice signs such as decreased appetite, blood in their urine or vomiting, we recommend immediately visiting a pet emergency vet.
When your pet consumes rat bait, it slows down the production of vitamin K. Vitamin K is a fat-soluble vitamin instrumental in activating your dog or cat’s blood ability to clot. When the body’s clotting mechanism is working correctly, damages such as cuts or wounds are repaired immediately without us being aware of it. However, when the clotting system is not working due to consuming rat bait, these minute traumas are not fixed and continue to bleed. It is important that you bring your pet straight to the emergency vet to receive the appropriate care.
What treatment is available for my pet?
The clinical director at our Emergency centre, Dr Naomi Hansen, suggests that it is necessary to start your pet on a Vitamin K supplement early to prevent the effects of rat bait. Vitamin K is an antidote for rat baits and will improve your pets clotting system. Naomi recommends rat traps as a great pet-safe alternative to using rat baits. If using rat bait, ensure that they are stored securely to prevent your pets from gaining access to them.
Here at NCVE, our goal is to provide the highest veterinary care for the wellness of you and your pet. If you have any questions or suspect your pet has eaten rat bait, please contact our friendly team.
