ANTICOAGULANT RODENTICIDE POISONING IN DO GS IN THE NETHERLANDS

The occurence, the diagnosis, and the treatment of anticoagulant roden ticide poisoning in dogs in the Netherlands was evaluated by a survey among Dutch veterinarians carried out by the National Poisons Control Center (NPCC). The survey included information on 54 dogs, 32 being tr eated by veterinarians who consulted the NPCC and 22 that were admitte d to the Utrecht University Clinic for Companion Animals (UUCCA). The poisons that were suspected were brodifacoum (n=19), bromadiolone (n=1 4), difenacoum (n=8), difethialone (n=6) and chlorophacinone (n=1). In 6 dogs the identity of the poison was unknown. Of 31 dogs with hemorr hages, 2 died shortly after presentation to practitioners and 2 died s hortly after admission to the UUCCA. Signs of bleeding occurred especi ally in poisoning by brodifacoum (n=16). In all but one of the dogs wi thout hemorrhages, the intake of poison had taken place within 24 hour s before presentation. The method of treatment varied, with the induct ion of vomiting and the use of vitamin K mentioned most. The choice of therapy was determined by the length of time after intake of the pois on, the clinical signs and whether or not an anticoagulant toxicosis w as suspected at the time of the initial examination. These findings pr ovide the basis for discussion of several aspects of diagnosis and tre atment.