d-CON Rodenticide Now Contains Cholecalciferol

In any case of rodenticide ingestion, identification of the active ingredient is crucial to ensure appropriate treatment.

Major rodenticide manufacturer d-CON announced that they are ending production of their anticoagulant rodent baits and that their new product contains cholecalciferol (Vitamin D) in a chewable “soft bait” formulation. iStockPhotos.com

Recently, major rodenticide manufacturer d-CON announced that they are ending production of their anticoagulant rodent baits. Their new product contains cholecalciferol (Vitamin D) in a chewable “soft bait” formulation. These products are now widely available in stores. 

Cholecalciferol causes hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia. Hypercalcemia can affect the nervous, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, renal and gastrointestinal systems. 

Clinical signs of cholecalciferol toxicosis include anorexia, depression, weakness and vomiting, usually within 36 to 48 hours after ingestion. Later, animals can develop polyuria, polydipsia, constipation, GI bleeding and dehydration. Tissue mineralization can occur with high serum calcium and phosphorus concentrations, with clinical signs depending on the tissues affected. Serum total and ionized calcium, phosphorus, BUN and creatinine levels increase in cholecalciferol toxicosis.

Treatment depends on time interval between exposure and treatment, but may include induction of emesis, administration of activated charcoal, restriction of calcium and phosphorus intake, and administration of pamidronate or other bisphosphonate to reduce hypercalcemia and hyperphosphatemia. 

Symptomatic and supportive care should include intravenous saline to treat dehydration, enhance urinary calcium excretion, and maintain glomerular filtration. Other symptomatic treatments can include antiemetics and gastroprotectants, as needed.

In any case of rodenticide ingestion, identification of the active ingredient is crucial to ensure appropriate treatment. 

Products currently available are as likely to contain cholecalciferol or the neurotoxic bromethalin as they are to contain anticoagulants. Treatment and prognosis are very different for each of these classes of ingredients. 

For more information on testing options in suspected cases, contact the toxicologists at the University of Kentucky Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

This information was provided by Dr. Megan Romano, Toxicology Resident, Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, University of Kentucky; megan.romano@uky.edu; 859-257-6777.

categories
tags
Trending Articles
Yearling filly on pasture
Disease Du Jour: OCD in Horses 
Farrier at the hoof care on the horse
AAEP Health Coverage: Barefoot Methodology
Confident female vet standing by horse in stable
How Equine Veterinarians Can Avoid Mental Traps 
Female Vet With Digital Tablet Examining Horse In Stable
AAEP Business Coverage: Equine Financial Statement Benchmarks 
Newsletter
Get the best from EquiManagement delivered straight to your inbox once a week! Topics include horse care, disease alerts, and vet practitioner updates.

"*" indicates required fields

Name*
Country*

Additional Offers

Untitled
This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.