How to Tell If a Dog Has Eaten Rat Poison

Rat poison is very deadly to dogs. A dog can even get sick after eating a rat or mouse that has been poisoned. Symptoms of rat poison in a dog can take up to 3 weeks to show up in a large breed dog. If treatment is swift, the dog can usually be saved.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Hydrogen peroxide
• Raw egg

1. Induce vomiting by giving your dog 1 tsp. to 2 tsp. of hydrogen peroxide. This should be done if you think your pet has ingested the rat poison within the last 2 hours.

2. Check the vomit for a greenish blue color or tint. If you see this, your dog has ingested rat poison and should be taken to the veterinarian immediately.

3. Monitor the dog for bleeding. Blood may appear from the nose, mouth, eyes or ears. Blood may be present in vomit, stool or urine. Even something simple like a cut may continuously bleed because rat poison is an anticoagulant.

4. Check the dog for bruising. These bruises will look like a human bruise, and it will not heal well.

5. Examine the dog's gait. A dog that has eaten rat poison will often stagger around instead of walking normally. The dog may also walk around aimlessly or seem lost.

6. Watch for convulsions or seizures. If you notice either of these, give the dog a raw egg and contact your veterinarian immediately.

Tips & Warnings

• To prevent a dog from eating rat poison, use rat traps or glue traps.
• Contact your veterinarian immediately if you know that your dog has eaten rat poison. The only treatment is a vitamin K shot that a licensed veterinarian can administer. The faster you get your dog to the veterinarian, the better the chances of a full recovery.