Rat Poison Side Effects

The main rat poison ingredients is warfarin, which is an anticoagulant, in simple terms, it retards or prevents blood clotting. Many times, there are no rat poison symptoms, like nosebleeds, bleeding gums, fatigue, etc. which are usually seen for several days. It is now seen that many species of rats have become immune to the rat poison that has been traditionally produced. At the same time, it has been observed, that although human beings can fall victims to rat poisoning, raccoons are immune to it.

Rat Poison Side Effects

Rat poisons contain very high amount of warfarin. The side effects are enumerated further below.

• The most important rat poison side effect is the internal bleeding that is caused in the body. This has its effects on the clotting of blood and causes it to thin abnormally. Internal bleeding is hence induced and it is this internal bleeding that finds its way out in the form of nose or gum bleeds, bloody urine or bloody stool.
• Since the blood thins as an effect of warfarin, the direct effect is dizziness. In some cases, dizziness can become so severe that it may become very difficult for the person to even stand.
• Rat poisoning also affects the digestive system. It can cause diarrhea, vomiting and nausea. Majority of times, the vomit and diarrhea may have blood in them, due to the blood thinning effect of the rat poison.
• Thinning of the blood also can cause lethargy. The person may feel very sleepy and drowsy as the thinned blood makes its way through the body.
• If a high dosage of rat poison is consumed, it can result in death. Hemorrhage and heart complications are the most common complications that eventually lead to death.

Rat Poison Antidote

If a pet swallows rat poison, there are rat poison antidotes that need to be administered to the pet. However, in spite of the antidote, it is advisable to induce vomiting in your pet, using hydrogen peroxide. Since rat poison contains anticoagulants, it stops the body from producing blood clotting proteins. Vitamin K counteracts this condition and it is hence used as an antidote to rat poison. However, you will have to administer the antidote in high dosage to your pet for an extended period. The minimum period is of three weeks.

In the case of humans, the antidote, vitamin K, should be administered well in time and before it causes harm to the circulatory system of the person. Since the antidote has to be given in high quantities, the side effects of it can be seen for months after it was administered. It may be even required to administer the antidote for a long period of time, under strict monitoring of the physicians. If the health care professional notices unabsorbed poison in the digestive system, activated charcoal may be used. In case of emergency, activated charcoal or the syrup of ipecac may be given to the patient. However, I would advise that it be given only on the advise of a poison control professional. It is recommended to also give vitamin C to the patient, to help cope with the antidote side effects.

Many people are prescribed drugs that contain warfarin, if they suffer from deep vein thrombosis, heart related ailments, etc. Even then, a lot of people complain of many other side effects of using these blood thinning drugs. In such a case, you may need to talk to your health care professional, just like you would in the case of rat poisoning. If a human being has consumed large amount of rat poison, it is vital that you contact the poison control hotline without wasting any time, to avoid any serious rat poison side effects.