What should be done if a cat eats a poisoned mouse? - briefly
If your cat has consumed a poisoned rodent, contact a veterinarian or an emergency animal poison‑control service immediately and follow their guidance, including whether to induce vomiting only under professional direction. Provide the dead mouse or its packaging to the vet so the specific toxin can be identified.
What should be done if a cat eats a poisoned mouse? - in detail
If a cat ingests a rodent that has been treated with poison, immediate action is essential to prevent severe toxicity.
First, assess the situation. Identify the type of poison involved—common rodenticides include anticoagulants, bromethalin, zinc phosphide, or neurotoxins. Information may be on the bait packaging or can be obtained from the supplier. Knowing the active ingredient determines the appropriate treatment protocol.
Next, contact a veterinarian without delay. Provide details about the cat’s weight, the suspected toxin, and the approximate time of ingestion. If a veterinary clinic is not reachable, call an emergency animal poison control hotline for guidance.
While awaiting professional advice, take the following steps:
- Do not induce vomiting unless specifically instructed by a veterinary professional; some toxins can cause additional damage when expelled.
- Remove any remaining bait or contaminated material from the cat’s environment to prevent re‑exposure.
- Observe the cat for early signs of poisoning, such as lethargy, pale gums, bleeding, seizures, difficulty walking, or excessive drooling. Record the onset and progression of symptoms.
- Gather the bait packaging or a sample of the mouse, if safe to do so, and keep it for the veterinarian. Accurate identification of the toxin speeds up treatment.
If the veterinarian recommends decontamination, they may administer activated charcoal to bind ingested poison, or perform gastric lavage in a controlled setting. Specific antidotes exist for certain rodenticides; for example, vitamin K1 is used to counteract anticoagulant toxicity, while supportive care (fluids, blood transfusions, seizure control) may be required for other agents.
After treatment, follow all post‑care instructions, including medication schedules, repeat blood work, and monitoring for delayed effects. Keep all rodent control products out of reach of pets and consider alternative, non‑toxic methods for pest management to eliminate future risk.