Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Low platelet counts in dogs bleeding from rat poison exposure
By Lewis, D C et al.·Published in Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association·1997·Department of Clinical Sciences, United States·View original on PubMed →
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Original publication title: Thrombocytopenia in dogs with anticoagulant rodenticide-induced hemorrhage: eight cases (1990-1995).
- Species:
- dog
Plain-English summary
A group of dogs with bleeding issues were found to have low platelet counts after being exposed to anticoagulant rodenticide, a type of poison used to kill rodents. While most of the dogs had mild to moderate low platelet counts, two experienced more severe drops. They did not show signs of small red spots on their skin, which can indicate bleeding issues. Treatment with fresh-frozen plasma and electrolyte solutions had mixed results in improving their platelet counts. It's important for pet owners to consider rodenticide poisoning if their dog shows signs of bleeding and low platelet levels.
People also search for: dog bleeding after eating rat poison · low platelet count in dogs treatment · anticoagulant rodenticide symptoms in dogs
Abstract
Thrombocytopenia was documented in eight of 11 dogs with anticoagulant rodenticide-induced hemorrhage. Thrombocytopenia was transient and generally mild-to-moderate, but it became marked (i.e., less than 30,000 platelets/microl) in two cases. Petechial hemorrhages were not noted in any case. There was no relationship between hematocrit and platelet count. Platelet count changes in response to treatment with fresh-frozen plasma and isotonic electrolyte solutions were variable. Anticoagulant rodenticide toxicity should be included as a differential diagnosis for dogs with hemorrhage accompanied by mild-to-moderate thrombocytopenia.
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Search related cases →Original publication on PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9278117/