Rat poison is one of the most convenient in the fight against rodents. It can be used both indoors and outdoors. However, this drug must be used in compliance with all safety measures. The fact is that animals and people can suffer from it.
Drug action
Before you begin to exterminate rats in the house, you need to familiarize yourself with how the poison works. Poison is divided into several groups.
The first type has a chronic course. In this case, the rodent under the influence of poison can live up to 2 weeks. It all depends on the concentration of the substance in his body. Anticoagulants are often referred to this group. As a result, the animals are tormented for two weeks, and then die from heavy internal bleeding. It should be noted that poisoning in dogs and cats from such rat poison is most common.
There are also funds that have an instant effect. Accordingly, the rodent, as soon as it begins to use poison, dies. This is due to the fact that the substance enters the stomach. This group should include drugs that have a mummifying effect. These products contain special substances. They allow after the death of a rodent to suppress the smell of rot and decay. The body will simply dry out gradually.
For each of the above poisons have their own special actions. Some substances affect the digestive system, while others simply block breathing, while others affect the nerves, which affects the life of the rodent.
The composition of the poison
Before buying poison, you need to worry about what kind of plant rat poison is made from. There are several groups that differ in composition. It is on what plants are included in the mixture that the result completely depends.
There are drugs that have a prolonged effect. They are the most popular and the most modern. Such rat poison disrupts the functioning of blood vessels, and also promotes blood coagulation. In a rat, an outpouring of liquid tissue begins. Typically, rodents may experience symptoms of intoxication, but they are rather mild. The main substance is zoocoumarin.
There are other drugs that are based on sodium. They also include glyphor and glomurite. Such funds quickly destroy rats. If a person uses them in compliance with safety precautions, then such poisons do not pose any danger to him.
At the moment, some of the cheapest and most popular are drugs that are based on arsenic. They also include phosphorus, thallium, strychnine and lead. Because of these substances, the animal begins severe poisoning, intoxication. A rat just needs to eat the bait. She can kill her in a few minutes. However, at the moment, the production of these poisons has been discontinued due to the fact that they are very dangerous for pets and humans. However, it should be noted that they are still in use.
If we talk about drugs that are based on zoocoumarin, then they have a certain drawback. When rats use this drug, they do not understand where the danger comes from. However, over time, the animal develops immunity to this substance.
Symptoms of poisoning in cats
Rat poison is very harmful to cats. As a rule, in order to fight rodents, use a small dose of the drug. Accordingly, in animals, the symptoms of poisoning do not appear immediately, but within 3-5 days. It should be noted that cats, by virtue of their nature, love to hunt mice. Therefore, if the animal finds a poisoned rat and begins to eat it, then, most likely, signs of intoxication will become noticeable quite quickly.
General symptoms indicate that the animal begins to have problems with blood coagulation, and internal bleeding is also observed. The cat begins to be indifferent to everything around him, he hides in the farthest corner, shortness of breath may begin and a cough may appear. Some animals have a bloated stomach. In such cases, help should be provided immediately, otherwise the cat will die.
A large amount of blood appears in the urine, the joints swell and become inflamed. Diarrhea and vomiting are also common. It is necessary to pay attention to the condition of the eyeballs. They start to bleed, which looks pretty scary. If help is not provided on time, the animal may become blind, and in the worst case, die.
Symptoms of poisoning in dogs
The symptoms of rat poison poisoning in dogs are no less frightening. The animal becomes lethargic. A lethargic condition may abruptly occur. If the dog is conscious, it develops a cough, it is difficult to breathe, as bleeding begins in the lungs. All mucous membranes fade. The dog may begin vomiting or diarrhea, nosebleeds, swollen joints. The appetite completely disappears.
Symptoms of poisoning in humans
The first symptoms of rat poison poisoning in humans can be observed within 30 minutes to 3 days. Stool disorder begins, general weakness, lips turn blue, skin becomes pale, blood pressure decreases, heart beats fast, vomiting and constant nausea may be present, nosebleed often occurs. A person can also lose consciousness.
This list is incomplete. Symptoms depend not only on the age of the person, but also on his general state of health. It will be most pronounced in children. The risk zone includes people who are old or have severe chronic diseases.
What to do in case of poisoning?
When poisoning with rat poison, you must immediately call an ambulance. Only after this can you begin first aid.
It is necessary to carry out a gastric lavage. For this, a person should drink up to one and a half liters of warm water. Next, language receptors should be irritated so that vomiting begins. This must be done three times.
If the poison has already entered the intestines, you need to drink activated charcoal. Do not forget that one tablet is designed for 10 kg of weight. In order for it to begin to act faster, it is necessary to grind it.
If a person begins dizziness, or there is severe weakness, then open the window for fresh air to enter the room. You can also use ammonia and validol under the tongue. This allows you to improve the condition and slightly reduce the effect of rat poison.
Treatment of patients who have been poisoned with this drug is carried out in a hospital. In general, therapy lasts about 2 weeks. As medicines, special antidotes and anticoagulants are used. Vitamin K analogues can also be introduced into the body.
Dog treatment
As mentioned above, the dog may well be poisoned by rat poison. Symptoms are already described, but how to treat the animal? It is necessary to introduce vitamin K intramuscularly in the body. Moreover, treatment for poisoning will last more than a month. It will be completed only when the blood test returns to normal. Treatment should be carried out only in a clinical setting. The doctor will administer up to 5 mg of vitamin per kilogram of animal weight. If a person is sure that the poisoning occurred due to the first generation anticoagulant, then the dose can be slightly reduced. However, it must be understood that if the disease caused this particular type of poison, then with first aid it is impossible to rinse the stomach and cause vomiting. This will only contribute to internal bleeding.
What to do if a dog is poisoned with poison of an unknown composition?
If the dog was poisoned by rat poison of an unknown composition, general therapy is necessary. It will be effective and will help in many cases. You should use heart medications, as well as diuretics. The doctor should give the dog a dropper with glucose. This will maintain the body of the animal is normal. 10 days a dog needs to be injected with vitamin K.
If treatment was started late, and the condition of the animal is already gradually deteriorating, then it is necessary to use drugs that restore the function of the liver and kidneys, and allow swelling to be removed. Often you have to carry out a blood transfusion.
The consequences of animal poisoning
The above methods of rescue dogs are also suitable in case of poisoning cats. It should be noted that treatment at home should not be carried out. Unfortunately, it very often does not give the desired effect. As soon as the doctor completes the intensive care, he will do additional tests and see if the dose of the drugs needs to be adjusted.
As a rule, poison gives a complication to the liver. Blood clotting problems may also occur. Bleeding often occurs due to injuries and gums.
Summary
Rat poison for humans is a necessary attribute in the household. The point is that it allows you to get rid of small rodents that spoil the property in the house. However, if we talk about our health, then use the product carefully. All safety rules must be observed. The poison must be placed in places where children and pets cannot reach it. It should be stored on the upper shelves. If there are signs of poisoning in a person or animal, you should definitely consult a doctor. Self-medication is not worth it.