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Do you have rats around your home or neighborhood? They can be a common problem in some areas, making it necessary to put out rat poisons, such as Decon. Rat poison can be effective in getting rid of rats. But what happens if your dog finds Decon and eats some of it?
Has your dog eaten Decon? Are you worried that Decon will make your dog sick? If so, you’ve come to the right place. We understand it can be scary when your dog eats something like this.
We’ve gathered information about Decon and whether it can make a dog sick. Let’s get started!
What is Decon?
Decon, also known as d-Con, is a rodent control product manufactured in the US by the Reckitt Company. The company produces a variety of traps and bait to be used around the house to trap and kill rodents, such as mice and rats.
The active substance in d-Con is an anticoagulant that may surprise you; the active ingredient in d-Con is Vitamin D (cholecalciferol).
While d-Con is safe when used as directed, what happens if a dog eats this rat poison?
Decon & Dogs
Unfortunately, d-Con is highly toxic to dogs. The active ingredient, Vitamin D, causes the dog’s body to absorb large amounts of calcium from his digestive tract. This decreases the renal excretion of calcium, leading to hypercalcemia (too much calcium) and hyperphosphatemia (too much phosphate) in the dog’s body. These conditions cause blood vessel constriction throughout the dog’s body. In other words, the dog’s body doesn’t receive the blood it needs.
When blood flow is decreased, organs such as the kidney will not function correctly, causing a dangerous build-up of toxins in the body.
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Ask a Vet Live NowSymptoms of Decon Ingestion in Dogs
You may notice these symptoms if your dog eats d-Con:
- Excessive urination
- Increased thirst
- Lack of appetite
- Weakness
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Hind limb paralysis
- Low body temperatures
- Heart arrhythmia
- Abdominal pain
- Lesions in the mouth and throat
If you notice any of these symptoms in your dog, call the vet immediately. This is an emergency.
Treatment of Decon Ingestion in Dogs
The vet will work to decontaminate your dog’s system by inducing vomiting, using activated charcoal, or other methods. Your fur baby may also require an IV for fluids and to administer medications. The vet will also treat other symptoms as they arise. For instance, they may use steroids, bisphosphonates to decrease calcium levels in the blood, and more.
The prognosis is best for dogs who receive prompt medical treatment after eating d-Con. However, a dog’s survival depends on how much poison he’s eaten, his age and overall health, as well as prompt medical treatment.
It’s always best to keep rat poisons and other household chemicals out of your dog’s reach. Prevention is always the best medicine.
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Kim
Kim is a talented author, who loves animals especially dogs. She engaged in writing books and articles relating to animals a decade ago. Kim resides in Chicago with her husband and son. The family is the proud owner of a dog and a parrot (Jack and Lily). Kim wanted more than these two pets, but her husband put his foot down... She often visits elementary schools to talk to the kids about what she learned about pets and how they could learn from them.
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