Rodenticide. Available in mixtures with other anticoagulant rodenticides, e.g.
coumafen, difenacoum or warfarin.
![[affected.gif]](affected.gif)
Animals most affected
Dogs, (other animals).
![[etiology.gif]](etiology.gif)
Etiology
Accidental ingestion of prepared baits (oatflakes, cereal meal or flour pastes) containing
0.1% of the active ingredient. Effective against mice.
Note: cases of iatrogenic poisoning have been reported.
![[toxic.gif]](toxic.gif)
Toxicity
Calcification of blood vessels and soft tissue occur as a result of increased intestinal
absorption of calcium. Hypercalcaemia and hyperphosphataemia may develop; also decalcification
of bones.
Oral doses in mg/kg:
|
LD50
|
rats
|
44
|
|
|
dogs
|
88
|
|
|
ducks
|
2
|
|
TD
|
dogs
|
1 for7 days
|
![[clinical.gif]](clinical.gif)
Clinical features
Two or more days after ingestion, polyuropolydypsia, a syndrome, has been observed,
followed by:
-
anorexia;
-
malaise, dullness, pale mucosae and sunken eyes, staggering gait;
-
frequently sudden death, especially when the animal is in a state of acute renal
failure.
![[lesions.gif]](lesions.gif)
Lesions
-
nephritis (renal hypertrophy with occasional granulosis);
-
degeneration of the myocardium;
-
metastatic calcification: deposition of calcium in soft tissues (kidneys, heart,
lungs, etc.) and in main arteries (aorta), a condition readily visible on radiography.
![[treatm~1.gif]](treatm~1.gif)
Treatment
Treatment is of limited effect once generalized calcification has occurred. No antidote
available. If mild symptoms present, the following regimen may be attempted:
-
increase the amount of calcium and vitamin A in the diet (vitamin A/vitamin D
= 5 to 8 iv corticosteroids, e.g. methylprednisolone, 1 mg/kg, or dexamethasone
(0.5 mg/kg) repeated every 2 hours;
-
mithramycin (a hypocalcaemic agent), 20 mg/kg per day given in infusions of NaCI
on alternate days.