Changes

The treatment of anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning aims to correct the hypovolaemia and coagulopathy. A whole blood or plasma tranfusion provides immediate access to vitamin K dependent clotting factors, helps to restore blood volume and, in the case of whole blood, supplements red blood cells and platelets^1-9. This may need to be followed with larger volumes of crystalloids to compensate for large volumes of fluid loss. The specific treatment of anticoagulant rodenticide toxicosis is administration of vitamin K₁. This is given as a subcutaneous loading dose at 5mg/kg, and is followed by oral or subcutaneous administration at 2.5-5mg/kg once daily, for 1-6 weeks. If given ''per os'', giving a small amount of fat such as canned dog food aids absorption^{7, 8}. Intravenous administration of vitamin K₁ is contraindicated as anaphylactic reactions may occur. Treatment with the less expensive vitamin K₃ is also contraindicated as it is not efficacious in the face of anticoagulant rodenticide toxicity. The duration of treatment depends on the anticoagulant as well as patient factors, and coagulation parameters should be monitored to detmine the progress being made.

The treatment of anticoagulant rodenticide poisoning aims to correct the hypovolaemia and coagulopathy. A whole blood or plasma tranfusion provides immediate access to vitamin K dependent clotting factors, helps to restore blood volume and, in the case of whole blood, supplements red blood cells and platelets^1-9. This may need to be followed with larger volumes of crystalloids to compensate for large volumes of fluid loss. The specific treatment of anticoagulant rodenticide toxicosis is administration of vitamin K₁. This is given as a subcutaneous loading dose at 5mg/kg, and is followed by oral or subcutaneous administration at 2.5-5mg/kg once daily, for 1-6 weeks. If given ''per os'', giving a small amount of fat such as canned dog food aids absorption^{7, 8}. Intravenous administration of vitamin K₁ is contraindicated as anaphylactic reactions may occur. Treatment with the less expensive vitamin K₃ is also contraindicated as it is not efficacious in the face of anticoagulant rodenticide toxicity. The duration of treatment depends on the anticoagulant as well as patient factors, and coagulation parameters should be monitored to detmine the progress being made.

Hypocoagulable patients are at great risk of internal

Hypocoagulable patients are at risk of internal haemorrhage, so physical activity should be kept to minimum. Unnecessary surgical procedures and venupuncture should be avoided, although thoracocentesis may be required in the event of haemothorax⁷.

haemorrhage. Physical activity must therefore be

minimised and their condition monitored closely. Other

forms of supportive therapy may be indicated to reduce

contraindicated, as is the administration of agents by

intramuscular injection.

==Prognosis==

==Prognosis==