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Dog ate rat poison, had charcoal. Will he be okay 24 hours later?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | American Pit Bull Terrier | Male | unneutered | 1 year old | 59 lbs

I have a 59 lb 1 year old bullie and he ate 1 oz of some bromethaline rat poison which I took him to the vet 3 hours later once I found out about it, the vet made him vomit which he threw up chunks of the poison and was given a bottle of charcoal at 9 pm and then again at 3 AM, ( 6 hours later). It has been 24 hours already and my dog seems fine. The vet said he will be ok just to monitor him but I want to be sure. Will he be ok, is that treatment effective?

2 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Andrea M. Brodie, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on February 24th, 2018

Bromethalin is a pretty nasty rat poison, not treatable with Vitamin K, as it is not an anticoagulant. It makes the brain swell and is moderately to severely toxic. There is no antidote only supportive care, such as inducing emesis (vomiting, to remove as much poison as possible), charcoal (to hopefully neutralize some of the poison, iv fluids and medication to reduce the cerebral edema (brain swelling). As with many poisons, the dose is important. You will still need to monitor your dog for a few days for incoordination (ataxia), tremors, seizures, and paralysis. It appears that your vet managed to remove most of the poison, so, if your dog is not showing any signs 24 hrs later, there is a good chance that Nikko is recuperating.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

    Veterinarian

    Published on December 11th, 2017

    This type of mouse and rat poison causes swelling of the brain. Bromethalin works by uncoupling oxidative phosphorylation in the brain and liver mitochondria and can result in brain swelling (cerebral edema). Treatment should include decontamination (vomiting, activated charcoal), intravenous fluids, and specific drugs to decrease brain swelling. Maybe your vet thought Isabell vomited most of the poison and didn't think the IV fluids and cerebral edema medications were warranted? You may need to check with them. Symptoms to watch for include incoordination (ataxia), tremors, seizures and paralysis. If you notice any of those signs you need to get Isabell back to your vet ASAP. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

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