CANINE CREEK®
Dog Wash & Pet Boutique

Where dogs would shop
if they could drive! ®

CANINE CREEK
Dog Wash
& Boutique

As I’m sure many of you have noticed, it seems that rodents are out in full force. While there are certainly disease concerns with regard to rodents, the methods used to eliminate them are a concern as well. Most folks around here have pets and other animals. There is also a lot of wildlife. Our animals and our wildlife can be innocent victims of secondary poisoning if great care is not taken to insure that they do not have access to rodents who have been poisoned.

Most rodent poisons contain an anticoagulant. The rodents eat the bait and, because they do not have the ability to regurgitate, it gets digested. This anticoagulant causes the rodent to hemorrhage , which can take several days. If another animal happens to ingest this rodent, they too will be poisoned.

If you choose to poison rodents, be careful. The bait has to be appealing to the rodents so it is also appealing to your pets. If you even suspect that your pet has come in contact with a poisoned rodent or the poison itself, get him to the veterinarian immediately. Your pet may be acting fine, but it takes time for the anticoagulant to start breaking down the clotting factors in your pet’s blood. By the time your pet starts to hemorrage, usually 2-3 days , it is often too late. Treatments will include fluids, activated charcoal and Vitamin K.

Dr. Dave Gantenbein
Antelope Valley Animal Hospital
(661) 273-1234