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- Highly toxic pesticide, under strict control in the US and UK. Widely used in New Zealand and Australia by licensed authorities to control pest animals. Dogs are highly susceptible.
Diagnosis
Clinical signs
- Anxiety, hyperexcitability.
- Hyperirritability.
- Running.
- Howling.
- Vomiting.
- Urination, defecation and tenesmus.
- Cycles of tonic and/or clonic convulsions.
- Weakness and ultimately death from exhaustion.
Differential diagnosis
- Strychnine poisoning .
- Metaldehyde poisoning .
- Pyrethroid poisoning.
- Chocolate poisoning .
- Poisoning with illicit stimulants such as amphetamines, cocaine, PCP.
- Rabies in the US.
Outcomes
Prognosis
- Prognosis is poor to grave once clinical signs have developed.
Expected response to treatment
- Treatment is usually begun too late to save the dog.
Reasons for treatment failure
- Serious and rapidly-progressing nature of toxicosis.