Rat Bait Horror

Murphy and Lilly got more than they bargained for when they went up to the horse yard one morning to help their owner muck out. Being young labradoodles they both love to chase around the yard, seeking out new smells, and it wasn’t unusual for them to go off exploring. Although this particular morning they were a little more interested in one corner of the yard than they perhaps should have been. When their owner went over to see what they were doing, she saw Murphy with a block of blue coloured rat bait in his mouth and crumbs on the floor! Oh No! Lilly is usually the instigator of any trouble so it was presumed that she had also been in the box of rat bait too!
Their owner immediately bought both dogs down to the clinic for an examination.
Rat bait is palatable and tasty to all animals, so inquisitive dogs like Murphy and Lilly will be attracted to it. It causes anaemia and interferes with the clotting systems inside the animal’s body by depleting the levels of Vitamin K, a vitamin essential for producing clotting factors in the blood stream.
Signs of intoxication can vary from very subtle bruising, blood in the urine or faeces, continued bleeding from cuts and wounds, vomiting and diarrhea, coughing and lethargy. It is a very serious toxin.

Both Murphy and Lilly were thoroughly assessed and their clinical examinations were normal. They were then admitted to our hospital ward and both given an injection to make them sick. This is what came up!
 
 
They both had bloods taken to assess their clotting profiles, which were pleasingly all normal. And they have been started on a 3 week course of vitamin K tablets and are under strict instructions to remain calm for 3 weeks to avoid any cuts or injuries!
Thankfully Murphy and Lilly, they have had a lucky escape and their treatment has been relatively simple. Some animals require blood transfusions and longer periods of hospitalisation.

Posted 21st November 2015