How long after poisoning do rats die? - briefly
Rats generally succumb within 12–48 hours after consuming common rodenticides, although the exact interval depends on the toxin type and dose. Anticoagulant baits may require several days, while fast‑acting neurotoxins can cause death in a matter of hours.
How long after poisoning do rats die? - in detail
Rats exposed to toxic agents exhibit a latency period that depends on the chemical class, administered dose, route of entry, and individual physiological variables. Anticoagulant rodenticides such as warfarin, brodifacoum, and difenacoum interfere with vitamin K recycling; sub‑lethal ingestion may produce no immediate signs, while a lethal dose typically results in internal hemorrhage after 48–96 hours, with some cases extending to 7 days when slower‑acting compounds are used.
Bromethalin, a neurotoxic uncoupler of oxidative phosphorylation, is absorbed rapidly from the gastrointestinal tract. Clinical manifestations—tremor, ataxia, convulsions—appear within 12–24 hours, and death usually follows within 24–48 hours at doses exceeding the LD₅₀ (approximately 15 mg kg⁻¹).
Zinc phosphide releases phosphine gas upon contact with gastric acid. Toxicity manifests as respiratory distress and metabolic acidosis within 30 minutes to 3 hours; mortality often occurs before the fourth hour when the ingested amount surpasses 30 mg kg⁻¹.
Cholecalciferol (vitamin D₃) causes hypercalcemia by enhancing intestinal calcium absorption. Signs of renal failure and cardiac arrhythmia develop after 48–72 hours; lethal outcomes are recorded between 4 and 6 days, reflecting the slower biochemical cascade.
Metal phosphides (aluminum, magnesium) generate phosphine similarly to zinc phosphide but with a slightly longer onset, generally 1–4 hours, and death commonly within 6–12 hours.
The following summary aligns typical exposure routes with observed timeframes:
- Oral anticoagulants – 2 days to 7 days, depending on compound potency.
- Bromethalin – 12 hours to 48 hours.
- Zinc phosphide – 30 minutes to 4 hours.
- Cholecalciferol – 48 hours to 6 days.
- Aluminum/magnesium phosphides – 1 hour to 12 hours.
Variables such as age, health status, and concurrent food intake modify these intervals. Monitoring should begin immediately after suspected ingestion, with attention to species‑specific clinical signs, to determine the appropriate intervention window.