What will happen if a cat eats mouse poison? - briefly
Ingesting rodenticide usually triggers severe poisoning, producing vomiting, seizures, hemorrhage, and often fatal outcomes. Prompt veterinary care with decontamination and appropriate antidotes is required to increase the chance of survival.
What will happen if a cat eats mouse poison? - in detail
If a cat ingests rodenticide, toxic effects begin within minutes to several hours, depending on the compound. The outcome varies with the poison’s class, the amount consumed, and the animal’s size and health status.
Anticoagulant rodenticides (warfarin‑type, bromadiolone, brodifacoum) interfere with vitamin K recycling, preventing clot formation. Early signs include lethargy, pale gums, and bruising. Within 24–48 hours, internal bleeding may appear as hematuria, melena, or respiratory distress. Laboratory tests reveal prolonged prothrombin time and reduced clotting factors. Treatment requires immediate administration of vitamin K₁ injections, fresh frozen plasma or clotting factor concentrates, and supportive care.
Bromethalin, a neurotoxic agent, disrupts mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, leading to cerebral edema. Initial symptoms are hyperexcitability, tremors, and ataxia. Progression brings seizures, coma, and possible death within 24 hours. No specific antidote exists; therapy focuses on decontamination (emesis, activated charcoal) and aggressive seizure control with benzodiazepines and phenobarbital.
Cholecalciferol (vitamin D₃) rodenticide causes hypercalcemia by increasing intestinal calcium absorption. Clinical manifestations appear after 12–48 hours and include vomiting, polyuria, polydipsia, weakness, and cardiac arrhythmias. Blood work shows elevated calcium and phosphorus levels. Management involves intravenous fluid therapy, diuretics, bisphosphonates, and steroids to lower calcium concentrations.
Zinc phosphide releases phosphine gas when it contacts stomach acid. Toxicity produces rapid respiratory failure, shock, and hepatic necrosis. Early signs are vomiting and dyspnea; severe cases develop cyanosis and collapse within hours. No antidote is available; treatment is limited to oxygen supplementation, intravenous fluids, and hepatic protectants.
Key steps after suspected ingestion:
- Contact a veterinarian or emergency poison control center immediately.
- Provide information on the product name, concentration, and estimated dose.
- Do not induce vomiting unless instructed by a professional.
- Bring the container or label for accurate identification.
Prompt veterinary intervention dramatically improves survival chances, especially for anticoagulant and bromethalin exposures where specific therapies exist. Delayed treatment often leads to irreversible organ damage or fatal hemorrhage.