Small amounts of rat poison can be deadly.
Dealing with an infestation of rodents can be very unpleasant. Dealing with the rodenticides can also be unpleasant and dangerous---especially when pets and small children are present in the home. The toxins in rodent baits that kill mice and rats can also cause damage or kill a child or house pet exposed to it. Even contact with the skin can be dangerous because some of the poisons used in rodenticides can be absorbed through the skin. Several types of chemicals and three major types of poisons are used in the manufacturing of rodenticides.
Types
There are three main types of rat poison, and each works differently to exterminate rats. The first type is Bromethalin. Bromethalin is a neurotoxin that kills a rat a few hours after one ingestion. Bromethalin is generally a safer option for people with pets. Anti-coagulants are one of the most common types, the most popular being fumarin and warfarin. They contain chemicals that interfere with blood clotting. These types should not be used around children or pets. The third type is vitamin based. This type fills the rat's body with fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin D. This kind usually takes a full day to kill a rodent.
Bromethalin
Bromethalin is a highly effective rodenticide. It works by affecting permeability of the cell membranes resulting in the cell swelling and losing function. After ingestion, central nervous system dysfunction sets it, killing the rat. Acute cerebral swelling and paralysis is seen and death is seen with both high and low doses. Death is usually due to respiratory failure. With high doses, results are seen within hours. These include hyperexcitability, tremors, exaggerated reflexes, seizures and death. Low doses cause several symptoms including depression, lack of appetite, vomiting, tremors, paresis of one or more limbs, paralysis and death.
Fumarin
Fumarin, also known as coumfuryl, is a derivative of coumarin. Fumarin is used as a rodenticide. Effects of fumarin depends on the amount of chemical exposure and how chemical contact occurred. Fumarin is highly toxic and can be absorbed through the skin. Fumarin side effects include nosebleeds, bleeding gums, bloody urine or feces, extensive bruising without injury, fatigue, eye irritation, hemorrhage, shortness of breath with exertion, shock and fluid in lungs. In rodents, death from exposure occurs easily.
Warfarin
Warafin is odorless and tasteless and potent in small amounts as a rodenticide. Warfarin does not act rapidly---it takes about a week for a noticeable reduction in rodent population. Recently, resistant strains of mice and rats have been noticed. Warfarin is also toxic to humans. Warafarin is a human teratogen. It causes birth defects such as fatal hemorrhaging of the fetus, malformations and mental retardation. However, a single dose of Warfarin bait would not harm a fetus as the amount of Warfarin in a single prepared rodent bait is very low.
Vitamin D Rodenticides
Vitamin D3 rodenticides, also known as cholecalciferol, have toxic effects on the liver, kidneys and myocardium (the middle and thickest wall of the heart). Early signs of vitamin D-induced hypercalcemia are faituge, weakness, headache and nausea. Hypercalcemia is a deadly buildup of calcium in the body. Kidney damage and myocardium are both effects of hypercalcemia. Polyuria (excessive urination), polydipdia (excessive thrist), proteinuria (great amounts of protein in urine) and azotemia (abnormal levels of nitrogen-containing compounds) result from acute renal tube injury, which likely leads to death.
Conclusion
If contact with any of these poisons is suspected, the victim must be rushed to the hospital for care. Sometimes even a small amount of poison can create a serious problem. You should also call a poison control center, which can help you understand treat the victim and possibly reverse the effects of the toxic chemicals. Rat and mouse poisons should never be left anywhere where a child or an animal other than a rat or mouse may find them and touch or eat them.
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