What will happen if a person ingests rat poison? - briefly
Consuming rodenticide with anticoagulant agents disrupts blood clotting, leading to internal bleeding, organ failure, and potentially death if left untreated. Prompt medical treatment with vitamin K1 and supportive care is required.
What will happen if a person ingests rat poison? - in detail
Ingestion of rodenticide triggers a cascade of physiological disturbances that depend on the active ingredient. The most common class, anticoagulant compounds such as warfarin, brodifacoum, and difenacoum, interferes with vitamin K recycling, preventing the synthesis of clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X. Within 12–24 hours, blood loss begins as internal bleeding, often unnoticed. Typical manifestations include:
- Nosebleeds, gum bleeding, or bruising without trauma
- Hematuria or melena indicating gastrointestinal hemorrhage
- Hematemesis or vomiting of blood
- Weakness, dizziness, and tachycardia from anemia
If left untreated, coagulopathy can progress to intracranial hemorrhage, pulmonary edema, or fatal shock.
Non‑anticoagulant poisons act through different mechanisms. Bromethalin disrupts mitochondrial function, producing cerebral edema and seizures within 6–48 hours. Metal phosphides (e.g., zinc phosphide) release phosphine gas in the stomach, causing cellular respiration failure, severe hypotension, and multi‑organ collapse, often within a few hours.
Diagnosis relies on a thorough history, physical examination, and laboratory tests. Key investigations include:
- Complete blood count – reveals falling hemoglobin and platelet count in anticoagulant toxicity.
- Prothrombin time/International Normalized Ratio – markedly prolonged in vitamin K antagonist exposure.
- Serum electrolytes, renal and hepatic panels – assess organ damage from non‑anticoagulant agents.
- Imaging (CT or MRI) – detects internal bleeding or cerebral swelling when indicated.
Treatment protocols vary by toxin class:
- Anticoagulant poisoning: administer high‑dose vitamin K₁ orally or intravenously, typically 10 mg/kg per day, until coagulation parameters normalize. Fresh frozen plasma or prothrombin complex concentrate may be required for acute hemorrhage.
- Bromethalin exposure: provide supportive care, control seizures with benzodiazepines, and monitor intracranial pressure. No specific antidote exists.
- Metal phosphide intoxication: initiate aggressive decontamination (activated charcoal if within 1 hour), provide high‑flow oxygen, correct metabolic acidosis with sodium bicarbonate, and support cardiovascular function with vasopressors.
Prognosis correlates with the amount ingested, time to treatment, and the specific compound. Prompt vitamin K therapy can reverse anticoagulant‑induced bleeding and result in full recovery. In contrast, bromethalin and phosphide poisonings carry a high mortality rate, especially when presentation is delayed.
Prevention emphasizes secure storage of rodent control products, child‑proof containers, and public education on the risks of accidental consumption. Immediate medical attention after suspected exposure markedly improves outcomes.