27/05/2026
With the colder weather arriving and rodents starting to move indoors, we have seen an increase in rat bait toxicities at the clinic recently.
Most rat baits work by inhibiting Vitamin K, which prevents normal blood clotting and can lead to severe internal bleeding which can be life threatening. Unfortunately, rat bait can last in the system for 4-6 weeks and symptoms are often delayed, meaning pets can appear completely normal at first.
If you suspect your dog has eaten rat bait, it’s important to contact us immediately- ideally within 2 hours of ingestion. Early treatment can make a huge difference and may even allow us to safely induce vomiting before the toxin is absorbed. Additionally, special blood tests and Vitamin K treatment may be required.
Thankfully Scout’s owners acted quickly when they discovered he had eaten rat bait and he was made to vomit the toxin up. A recent blood test showed his blood clotting had not been affected but he will be under close observations for the next few weeks.
