ANTICOAGULANT RODENTICIDE POISONING - ETI OLOGY, DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

Poisoning with the anticoagulants is produced by ingestion of baits, e ither rodenticide baits, or << home made >> baits (ill-willed to dogs) . The use of long action chemicals such as brodifacoum that are highly toxic with a single dose exposure has resulted in an increased risk o f accidental poisoning. All anticoagulant poisonings induce a coagulop athy, with delayed clinical signs following ingestion; their presentat ion and severity depend on haemorrhage sites. Internal haemorrage can provide a diagnostic challenge; Prothrombin time is the most sensitive test, of diagnostic and pronostic value. Vitamin K1 is a very effecti ve antidote, if administrated at sufficient dosage regimen and for an adequate length, which means at least several weeks unceasingly in ord er to avoid << repeat bleeders >>.