Upon arrival, apomorphine was administered intravenously. This is a strong “emetic”—which means it works great to induce vomiting. It wasn’t less than 5 minutes, and Beanie was throwing up large pieces of green rat bait all over the exam room until his stomach was empty. Poor Beanie was looking rather sad with his upset stomach, but thankfully he expelled a great deal of rat poison.

There are different types of rat baits on the market. Some of them have more potency than others, and longer durations of effects. It is important to save the packaging material so it can be determined to type of poison the pet is exposed to. Some of the 3rd generation rodenticides have effects lasting up to 3 weeks.

Rodenticides do not show effects immediately in the animal. It usually takes approximately 7 days for effect. They interfere with normal blood clotting mechanisms—after about 1 week , animals are found to start spontaneously bleeding and often die from major internal bleeding.

There is an antidote (treatment) for animals that have consumed the poison. Active Vitamin K1 is given either injectable or orally for a period of 3 weeks after exposure. Near the end of treatment, blood tests are taken to determine of the pet’s blood is clotting normally. If clotting times are prolonged, vitamin K treatment is continued until blood tests are normal.

Beanie received oral Vitamin K treatment for 21 days after his exposure to the poison. Blood clotting following treatment was normal and Beanie is doing awesome! Thankfully Allan saw Beanie with the “evidence” in his mouth right away!