measuring prothrombin for rat bait poisoning

Re: measuring prothrombin for rat bait poisoning

scatty — Wed, 25 Jul 2012 16:33:35 GMT

HI, thanks all for your answers - much appreciated! [quote user="robloxley"]

It's worth checking the clotting after the 3 weeks of vit K, having had a couple of cases that have taken longer to revert to normal

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Intresting that you have seen problems so far down the line. I also agree that VPIS states many dogs don't exceed the toxic dose so glad to know our approach is not so far off the mark after all. Keeping costs down for external lab tests is always a consideration in today's economic climate! Thanks for letting me know,

Re: measuring prothrombin for rat bait poisoning

Rob Loxley — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 12:58:21 GMT

It's worth checking the clotting after the 3 weeks of vit K, having had a couple of cases that have taken longer to revert to normal

Re: measuring prothrombin for rat bait poisoning

Thomas Johnson — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 10:23:21 GMT

The last few times I have seen dogs that have eaten rodenticide and have called VPIS I have found that the dog has not eaten a toxic dose, even when a large quantity has been ingested. I guess that's why the recommendation is to check clotting times for 3 days rather than start on a 6 week course of Vitamin K.

Re: measuring prothrombin for rat bait poisoning

Nicola Lawlor — Sun, 22 Jul 2012 09:16:40 GMT

Like you I tend to take a blood sample and send off for a clotting profile and then start Vit K straight away when there is a known rodenticide exposure or high index of suspicion. If there is no specific history of rodenticide ingestion I also treat with panacur for lungworm too as have seen a couple of dogs with this who had spontaneous bleeding. Where appropriate also induce emesis to minimise absorption.

Re: measuring prothrombin for rat bait poisoning

Michael Woodhouse — Sat, 21 Jul 2012 22:04:41 GMT

I am unaware of any adverse effects from vitamin K treatment. I have seen adverse effects from rodentacide poisoning.

Usually I will induce vomiting (washing soda crystals) if recent ingestion and then inject on day 1 and then treat with tablets for 3 weeks.

The only time I bother checking clotting time is when there is doubt over the cause of the symptoms (eq presents coagulopathic rather than history of exposure).

The only point (to my thinking) of doing a test is if it will change what I do. Doing clotting times for 3 days will likely cost the same money as a course of Vitamin K!

(we are a mixed practice so see quite a few of these, the last one bled to death whilst we were collecting blood from the donor dog - everything else has been ok)