RAT POISON (BROMETHALIN-BASED RODENTICIDE)

THE WAR AGAINST RODENTS

Bromethalin was supposed to represent a better choice. Because only small amounts are needed to kill a rodent, a predator is unlikely to be harmed by consuming a bromethalin-poisoned rodent. This is good news for owls, hawks, and other rat-consuming wildlife. For dogs and cats, however, this is only a small advantage as pets commonly consume the insecticide directly. Anticoagulant rodenticides had an antidote in case of accidental poisoning while bromethalin has none and bromethalin products are readily palatable to dogs and cats.

With anticoagulant rodenticides becoming less available, bromethalin has captured the home rat poison market and has created a new hazard for pets to contend with.

WHAT DOES BROMETHALIN DO?

(original graphic by marvistavet.com)

Bromethalin has been around since 1985 and it is sold as bars, blocks and pellets to be used against rats and mice as well as in the shape of earthworms to be used against moles. The product can be sprinkled on the ground or, for a safer presentation, provided inside a plastic bait station accessible to rodents but not to pets. Bromethalin acts by uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation in the brain. What that means in less scientific terms is that bromethalin makes it impossible to maintain aerobic metabolism in the brain. Oxygen cannot be used. Without the ability to use oxygen, the brain cannot make enough energy to fuel itself. The brain swells and the victim dies of cerebral edema. Peak levels of bromethalin are achieved a mere 4 hours after the poison is eaten.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR A PET?

There are two forms of poisoning recognized in pets: the high dose (or “convulsant” form) and the low dose (or “paralytic” form).

The Convulsant Form – If a high dose of bromethalin has been consumed, symptoms generally begin in a matter of hours. The patient will develop hyperexcitability followed by muscle tremors, increased body temperature, and seizures. Death is virtually inevitable.

The Paralytic Form – If a lower dose of bromethalin has been consumed, symptoms do not show up for 1-4 days. Vomiting and appetite loss result. The patient becomes weak in the rear and in-coordinated. The eyes begin to move involuntarily back and forth (“nystagmus”) and the pupils become unequal in size. Muscle tremors culminating in paralysis result. Treatment is still possible with this form but must be aggressive.

TREATMENT

Treatment for this poisoning must begin immediately, ideally within an hour of eating the poison. The patient is made to vomit and then must receive several doses of activated charcoal to bind any poison in the intestinal tract before the patient’s body absorbs it. Activated charcoal administration can continue for days.

Muscle contractions are treated with sedatives and muscle relaxants. Brain swelling is treated with diuretics. One study in rodents found that if rats were given ginkgo biloba immediately, their toxicity symptoms were greatly reduced but no such research has been performed in dogs or cats.

Survivors may have permanent neurologic deficits and it make take weeks for recovery to plateau so that permanent damage can be assessed. Many patients will not eat during treatment and nutritional support, such as an esophagostomy tube, must be employed.

IF YOU USE A BROMETHALIN-BASED RAT POISON, BE SURE PET ACCESS IS IMPOSSIBLE
AS THERE IS NO ANTIDOTE FOR THIS POISON AND SIGNS ARE RAPID AND NOT EASILY TREATED.

ANTI-COAGULANT RODENTICIDES MAY HAVE THEIR PROBLEMS BUT, AT LEAST,
TREATMENT IS STRAIGHT-FORWARD AND THERE IS AN ANTIDOTE.

IF YOU MUST CONTROL RODENTS, CONSIDER THE LEAST TOXIC METHODS IF THERE ARE PETS IN THE VICINITY.

Page posted: 3/5/2019
Page last updated: 3/3/2022