Rodenticide Toxicosis, Anticoagulant

Rodenticide Toxicosis, Anticoagulant



Basic Information  image



Definition


Anticoagulant rodenticides are compounds that contain a coumarin or indandione group and act by inhibiting vitamin K recycling, thereby causing coagulopathy. Warfarin, a once common prototypical rodenticide, has a short half-life in the body. Newer anticoagulant rodenticides are more common and have prolonged half-lives.



Synonym(s)


Warfarin, brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difenacoum, chlorophacinone, diphacinone, pindone, or difethialone toxicosis



Epidemiology



Species, Age, Sex




• Anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning is not common in horses.


• Younger, more curious animals may be more likely to ingest rodenticides.


• Smaller individuals may be more likely to ingest a high enough dose to produce clinical signs.



Risk Factors




• Improper use of anticoagulant rodenticides around horses


• Storage of anticoagulant rodenticides in places horses can access



Clinical Presentation



Disease Forms/Subtypes




• Anticoagulant rodenticides cause coagulopathy.


• Presentation varies based on site of hemorrhage.



History, Chief Complaint


Signs vary depending on the site of hemorrhage but may include:



• Anemia


• Depression


• Anorexia


• Superficial swellings (hematomata)


• Evidence of excessive external bleeding


• Abdominal distension


• Dyspnea


• Central nervous system signs


• Lameness



Physical Exam Findings




• Pale mucous membranes


• Increased hemorrhage during phlebotomy or nasogastric tube placement


• Superficial hematomata


• Hemorrhage either externally or internally



Etiology and Pathophysiology




• Anticoagulant compounds inhibit vitamin K1 epoxide reductase enzyme.


• Prevent recycling of vitamin K1, needed for manufacture of clotting factors II, VII, IX, and X


• Cause depletion of clotting factors and coagulopathy


• Toxic dose varies for different anticoagulant rodenticides and has not been determined for all compounds.


image 0.125 mg of brodifacoum/kg body weight was associated with severe toxicosis in some horses but minimal clinical signs in others.

image 50 to 100 mg is the estimated lethal dose of brodifacoum for a mature horse.

image 1 to 2 kg of brodifacoum bait (0.005% brodifacoum) would be expected to cause toxicosis in a mature horse.


Diagnosis  image



Differential Diagnosis


Anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning may mimic a variety of diseases depending on the site of hemorrhage. Other causes of coagulopathy include:



• Disseminated intravascular coagulation


• Congenital coagulopathies


• Thrombocytopenia or thrombocytopathy


• Moldy sweet clover poisoning (caused by dicoumarol)

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  4. Protein-Losing Nephropathy

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Jul 24, 2016 | Posted by in SMALL ANIMAL | Comments Off on Rodenticide Toxicosis, Anticoagulant

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