Harvey and the Alleged Rat Poison

These past couple of weeks had been hell for me and my dogs. More than anything, it's a financial challenge and an emotional melt-down for me. But as much as I’d like to complain and shut myself from all the things that I feel, I just can’t because I love these dogs too much to not do anything. 

Last June 26, 2013, Wednesday,  I received a call from my mother while I was at the office. She called to tell me that she’s observing something really alarming and funny about Harvey, our soon to be 5 year old Jack Russell Terrier. Harvey is overall a lively dog. His energy level is way too high that any slight decrease or change would be noticeable. It won't be normal a normal day in our household if my mom doesn't scold him because of something he did. He'd run around, test everyone's patience and he would perform his usual antics that either would piss you off or amuse you. And just like any JRTs, he is very strong, fearless and adventurous. For all those years of hunting and killing dead birds, frogs or insects, he’s never been hospitalized or confined. But on this particular day, my mom and household help noticed that he’s lying in the grass, unresponsive to their calls. He would lie down and not wander about, which is unlike him at all. He would always be the first one to greet you at the gate, but he was lethargic even when my brother and aunt arrived. 

My mom told me that they saw a blue-colored small piece of block, which happens to be rat poison in the garden. The poison must have been transported by a dying rat and which Harvey was able to locate. Killing and hunting rats are Harvey’s specialty so there was 99.9% chance that he tampered with the poison. It was our little Pomerianian, Chivas, who found it while he was passing by the garden. Before he was able to play with it, our household help noticed the piece and prevented him from touching it. It was fairly impossible that Harvey might have missed this since it is exposed in the same garden where Harvey usually hangs around. 

Upon hearing the emergency, I rushed home that night. I faced the usually 7 pm traffic and called my sister to meet me at the house to drive us to the veterinary clinic. It was already 8 pm when I reached the neighborhood and I made a couple of emergency and frantic calls to my vet to let him see Harvey tonight.

When I got home, he was the same bouncy self and greeted me at the gate. I wouldn’t normally figure out if something was indeed wrong with him, but I relied on my family’s feedback that they’ve noticed him strange and more laid back than usual. They even told me about Rat Poison. I am not a chemist or a veterinarian, but I fairly know rat poison is toxic enough to cause blood, brain and kidney damage…fast. So as soon as my sister arrived, we drove him to his vet for emergency treatment.

It was 8:30 pm when we reached the clinic. This was a life and death situation. I was scared and anxious. We told the vet our observations and what our household helper found. Dr. Peralta immediately injected a Vitamin K medication to counter the poisonous effects and had him confined overnight for observation. He said he'd call if he find anything unusual. 

The next evening, we went back to the vet to pick up Harvey. They’ve inserted another dose of medication and observed for any signs of lethargy or vomiting. But none, thank God! One of the assistants even brought him out for a walk that day and he seemed pretty excited as usual. We brought him home on Thursday night and we’ve been observing him for a couple of days now. Thank the Heavens! He’s back to his normal self. No trace of sickness whatsoever.

Treatment cost 2700 pesos for multiple Vitamin K injections and overnight hospitalization. Peace of mind costs priceless. 

Rat Poison or Bromethalin Rodenticide has top toxicity rate! According to petmd.com, once the dog ingests or becomes exposed to bromethalin found in rat poison, it could lead to cerebral edema (Excess water in the brain), increased pressure in cerebrospinal fluid and neurological effects like muscle tremors, seizures and impaired movement. This could lead to further paralysis, depression and seizures. The effects could normally be seen 2 – 7 days of ingestion, sometimes even weeks.

In advance testing for Bromethalin exposure, they do have urine analysis, MRI and CT scan. Or they would rely on owner’s findings and actual evidence.

Vomiting and bowel movement should be induced within 2-3 days after the poisoning. Vitamin K is also injected to counter the effects.

Further observation is required after the treatment to flag further complications. As long as it’s treated immediately, prognosis is very favorable.

HARVEY CASE DETAILS

1. June 26  - Lethargy and unusual weak behavior
2. June 26 - Emergency Vitamin K medication administered by Vet. Antibiotics twice a day prescribed by Vet. (2,700 for vet fees and hospitalization + 100 for meds)
3. June 27 - Release date, no negative effects or findings. Harvey appears and seems to be normally his rambunctious self to this day