Keep an eye on the working dog
The Riverina Livestock Health and Pest Authority district vets are reminding people using rodent baits to take extra care to avoid unintentional poisoning of domestic animals.
"A lot of bait has been put out for mice over the past few months and they all have the potential to kill more than just mice," said Riverina LHPA senior district vet, Dan Salmon.
"Local vet clinics have been seeing a number of cases of dogs being poisoned by rodent bait; either from directly eating the baits, or from eating poisoned mice.
"There are fewer cats being poisoned because they are less likely to eat a mouse that they have not tortured to death themselves.
"The active ingredient in the common rodent baits is generally a warfarin derivative that interferes with blood clotting. Poisoned dogs are affected in much the same way as the mice are with internal bleeding.
"An affected dog will be weak with pale gums and sometimes bruises or bloody diarrhoea. If you suspect that your dog has been poisoned it is important to immediately contact your local vet clinic for advice."
Dr Salmon said all dogs are at risk from the baits but those which are kept tied up in an area which is cleaned of mice carcasses regularly and muzzled when not on the chain will have a lower risk.
"Reducing the amount of poison used around the homestead and sheds will help, that means using broad acre or perimeter baiting in the paddocks and traps around the homestead to reduce the amount of bait in areas where the dogs can get them," he said.
Dr Salmon also warned against the use of illegal or unregistered poisons, which are much more toxic to other animals and for which effective treatments are not readily available.
"As an additional precaution and when using registered rodent bait around the house or sheds, you should put it into containers that only mice or rats can get at and regularly check for poisoned mice and dispose of these in a safe place," said Dr Salmon.
If you have any questions about rodent bait poisoning in animals you should contact your local vet clinic for further advice.
Media contact: Kylie Dunn 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378