Anticoagulant rodenticide toxicity in 21 dogs

Twenty-three episodes of anticoagulant rodenticide toxicity were found in 21 dogs during a retrospective study conducted at The Ohio State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital. Dyspnea (57%), lethargy (48%), coughing/hemoptysis (30%), and pallor (26%) were the most common presenting complaints. Prolonged activated clotting time (ACT), prolonged one-stage prothrombin time (OSPT), and prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) were present in all dogs that had not received any prior therapy. Anemia (83%), thrombocytopenia (61%), hypoproteinemia (57%), positive fibrin degradation products (FDPs) (55%, six of 11 tested), and hyperfibrinogenemia (43%, six of 14 tested) were common hematological findings. Treatment included therapy with vitamin K-1, blood products, and supportive care. The survival rate was 83%.