Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Abdominal X-ray signs of rat poison poisoning in dogs and cats
By Hecke, Katelyn et al.·Published in Open veterinary journal·2024·Center Grove Animal Clinic, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Abdominal radiographic features of anticoagulant rodenticide toxicity in 14 dogs and 2 cats.
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A 5-year-old Labrador was brought in for vomiting and lethargy after suspected ingestion of rat poison. The veterinarian performed abdominal and chest X-rays, which revealed signs of internal bleeding, including fluid buildup in the abdomen and chest. The dog was treated with vitamin K, which helps counteract the effects of anticoagulant rodenticides, and after a few days of care, the dog started to recover and showed improvement in energy levels and appetite.
People also search for: dog rat poison symptoms · Labrador vomiting after eating rat poison · vitamin K treatment for dog rodenticide toxicity
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Anticoagulant rodenticide toxicity is commonly encountered in veterinary practice that can result in internal bleeding. We have observed dogs with retroperitoneal hemorrhage secondary to anticoagulant rodenticide toxicity. However, abdominal radiographic changes in dogs with rodenticide toxicity have not been studied and retroperitoneal hemorrhage secondary to rodenticide toxicity has rarely been reported. AIM: The objective is to describe abdominal radiographic features of anticoagulant rodenticide toxicity and concurrent thoracic radiographic changes in dogs and cats. METHODS: Dogs and cats diagnosed with rodenticide toxicity and with available abdominal radiographs were included in this retrospective analysis. Board-certified radiologists reviewed the abdominal and thoracic radiographs. Evaluation of abdominal radiographic changes included assessment of peritoneal or retroperitoneal effusion, subcutaneous hemorrhage, and internal hemorrhage of abdominal organs. RESULTS: Fourteen dogs and two cats with confirmed rodenticide toxicity were included in the study. In dogs, retroperitoneal effusion (28.6%) was the most commonly observed abdominal radiographic change, followed by peritoneal effusion (14.3%). Thoracic radiographic changes in dogs included pleural effusion (63.6%) and mediastinal widening (63.6%) as the most common findings, followed by pulmonary hemorrhage (36.4%) and tracheal narrowing (36.4%). Subcutaneous hemorrhage or edema (9.1%) was also noted. No abdominal radiographic changes consistent with hemorrhage secondary to rodenticide toxicity were noted in the two cats. CONCLUSION: Based on our findings, it is suggested that rodenticide toxicity may result in retroperitoneal effusion even in the absence of thoracic disease. Therefore, abdominal radiographs may be valuable when suspecting hemorrhage due to coagulopathy. However, abdominal radiographic changes associated with rodenticide toxicity are considered rare in cats.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/39055766/