How do mice react to poison? - briefly
When a toxic dose is administered, mice display immediate signs such as lethargy, tremors, loss of coordination, and respiratory failure, progressing to death if the poison is potent enough. The severity and timeline depend on the toxin type, dose, and route of exposure.
How do mice react to poison? - in detail
Mice exposed to toxic agents exhibit a rapid cascade of physiological changes. Initial symptoms often include salivation, tremors, and loss of coordination. As the toxin penetrates the bloodstream, respiratory rate may increase or become irregular, and the heart can develop arrhythmias. Neuromuscular paralysis frequently follows, leading to diminished reflexes and eventual immobility.
The specific response varies with the class of poison:
- Anticoagulants (e.g., warfarin derivatives): Blood clotting is inhibited, causing internal bleeding. Visible signs include bruising, hematuria, and prolonged bleeding from minor wounds. Mortality typically occurs 2–5 days after ingestion as blood loss becomes critical.
- Neurotoxins (e.g., organophosphates, bromethalin): Acetylcholinesterase inhibition produces excessive acetylcholine, resulting in muscle twitching, convulsions, and respiratory failure. Bromethalin disrupts mitochondrial function, leading to progressive paralysis and death within 24–48 hours.
- Metabolic poisons (e.g., zinc phosphide, sodium fluoroacetate): Conversion to phosphine gas or fluoroacetate interferes with cellular respiration. Early signs are abdominal distress and lethargy, followed by rapid collapse as organs fail.
- Heavy metals (e.g., lead, mercury): Accumulation causes chronic neurological impairment, reduced growth, and impaired immune function. Acute exposure may produce vomiting, diarrhea, and severe encephalopathy.
Dose‑response relationships are steep; sublethal amounts can produce observable distress without immediate death, while a single lethal dose often results in swift onset of severe symptoms. Behavioral alterations include reduced grooming, erratic movement, and avoidance of contaminated food sources. In laboratory settings, poisoned rodents typically display a decline in exploratory activity within minutes, progressing to immobility as toxicity escalates.
Post‑mortem examination reveals organ-specific damage: hemorrhagic lesions in the liver and kidneys for anticoagulants, neuronal degeneration for neurotoxins, and widespread cellular necrosis for metabolic poisons. These pathological findings confirm the mode of action and assist in identifying the responsible agent.