{"hq_id":"hq-p-hom-000260","name":"Rodenticide Secondary Poisoning (Anticoagulant Brodifacoum — Dogs Eating Poisoned Mice, Vitamin K1 Treatment Protocol)","category":{"primary":"home","secondary":"pest_control","tags":["rodenticide","brodifacoum","anticoagulant","secondary poisoning","relay toxicosis","warfarin","bromethalin","dog poisoning","mouse poison","vitamin K1"]},"product_tier":"HOM","overall_risk_level":"critical","description":"Secondary (relay) rodenticide poisoning is one of the most common canine toxicoses — dogs consume poisoned or dying rodents that contain lethal concentrations of anticoagulant rodenticides. Brodifacoum is the most potent second-generation anticoagulant rodenticide (SGAR) — a single feeding of a poisoned mouse or rat can deliver a lethal dose to a dog. Brodifacoum's oral LD50 in dogs is 0.25-3.6 mg/kg, and a single mouse carcass may contain 0.5-2.0 mg brodifacoum. A 20-kg dog consuming 2-3 poisoned mice could receive a lethal dose. ASPCA APCC: rodenticide is among the top 5 pet poisoning calls annually (~10,000 cases/year). Brodifacoum's biological half-life is 92-168 days in dogs (vs. 24-56 days for warfarin) — requiring extended vitamin K1 treatment for 4-6 weeks minimum, with monitoring for an additional 48-72 hours after discontinuation. Second-generation anticoagulants (brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difethialone, difenacoum) are lethal in a single dose — unlike first-generation warfarin which typically requires multiple feedings. EPA restricted consumer sale of SGARs in 2011 (bait station-only for outdoors), but professional-use and existing stock remain widely available. Bromethalin, a non-anticoagulant rodenticide increasingly used as a replacement, causes cerebral edema with no antidote — making it potentially more dangerous for exposed pets.","synthesis":{"derived_risk_level":"moderate","synthesis_confidence":0.5,"synthesis_method":"compound_composition","context_used":"dog","context_source":"product_users","exposure_modifier":0.85,"vulnerability_escalated":false,"escalation_reason":null,"compounds_resolved":3,"compounds_total":3,"synthesis_date":"2026-05-09","synthesis_version":"1.2.0","methodology_note":"exposure_modifier and adjusted_magnitude are computed from ALETHEIA-calibrated heuristics (route × duration × frequency multipliers, clamped to [0.5, 1.4]). Multipliers are directionally informed by EPA Exposure Factors Handbook (2011) and CalEPA OEHHA but are not regulatory consensus. See /api/methodology for full disclosure."},"hazard_summary":{"sensitive_populations":"all dogs (hunting and scavenging behavior), cats (hunting rodents), terrier breeds (high prey drive), puppies (indiscriminate chewing/eating)","overall_risk":"critical","primary_concerns":["Brodifacoum: single poisoned mouse can deliver lethal dose to a dog","ASPCA APCC: ~10,000 rodenticide pet poisoning calls per year","Brodifacoum half-life 92-168 days in dogs — 4-6 weeks of vitamin K1 treatment","Bromethalin (replacement rodenticide) has NO antidote — cerebral edema"],"exposure_routes":"Oral (direct bait consumption, secondary poisoning from eating poisoned rodents)"},"exposure":{"routes":["oral"],"contact_types":["oral_direct"],"users":["pet"],"duration":"minutes","frequency":"event","scenarios":["Dog consuming poisoned mouse or rat (secondary/relay poisoning)","Dog directly accessing rodenticide bait station or loose bait","Cat catching and eating a poisoned mouse — less common but documented","Dog finding cached bait material moved by rodents to accessible locations"],"notes":"ASPCA APCC: rodenticide among top 5 pet poisoning categories (~10,000 calls/year). Brodifacoum: most potent SGAR — LD50 0.25-3.6 mg/kg (dogs). Single mouse carcass: 0.5-2.0 mg brodifacoum (depending on feeding). Second-generation anticoagulants: inhibit vitamin K epoxide reductase (VKOR) — blocks recycling of vitamin K needed for clotting factors II, VII, IX, X. Onset of bleeding: 2-5 days post-ingestion (time for clotting factor depletion). Clinical signs: lethargy, pale gums, petechiae, melena, hemarthrosis, hematuria, dyspnea (pleural hemorrhage). Treatment: vitamin K1 (phytonadione) 2.5-5 mg/kg/day PO divided BID for 4-6 weeks (brodifacoum). Monitor PT/PTT 48-72 hrs after K1 discontinuation. If PT elevated: resume K1 for 2 more weeks. Transfusion if severe anemia. Cost: $500-3,000 for treatment course. Bromethalin: causes cerebral edema — signs are neurological (tremors, seizures, paralysis). NO antidote — only supportive care. Increasing bromethalin use (replacing SGARs in consumer products) is making pet poisoning cases harder to treat. EPA 2011: restricted consumer SGAR sales to bait stations only — but compliance and enforcement variable."},"consumer_guidance":{"usage_warning":"If you have pets, do NOT use rodenticides — especially second-generation anticoagulants (brodifacoum, bromadiolone) or bromethalin. If rodenticides must be used: place ONLY in tamper-resistant bait stations in locations completely inaccessible to pets, and monitor for dead or dying rodents that pets could consume. If pet ingests rodenticide or a poisoned rodent: EMERGENCY — contact veterinarian immediately, bring product packaging (active ingredient identification is critical for treatment). For anticoagulant exposure: induce vomiting if within 2 hours (consult vet first). For bromethalin: vomiting and activated charcoal within 1-2 hours is critical (no antidote exists). ASPCA Poison Control: 888-426-4435. Pet Poison Helpline: 855-764-7661.","safer_alternatives":["Snap traps (mechanical, no poison — check frequently to prevent pet access)","Live traps with relocation (no toxicant)","Exclusion methods: seal entry points, remove food sources, habitat modification","Electronic traps (enclosed, battery-powered — inaccessible to pets)"]},"regulatory":{"applicable_regulations":[{"jurisdiction":"USA","regulation":"EPA FIFRA — Rodenticide Risk Mitigation Decision (2008/2011)","citation":"EPA Risk Mitigation Decision for Ten Rodenticides (2008); EPA Final Rule 2011","requirements":"EPA 2008/2011: restricted consumer sale of SGARs (brodifacoum, bromadiolone, difethialone, difenacoum) to bait station-only format for outdoor use. Indoor: consumer loose bait prohibited for SGARs. Professional use: SGARs remain available without bait station requirement. First-generation anticoagulants (warfarin, chlorophacinone, diphacinone) still available for consumer purchase. Bromethalin: no SGAR restriction applies — increasingly used in consumer products as replacement. EPA requires skull-and-crossbones warning and 'Keep Away from Pets' on all rodenticide labels.","compliance_status":null,"effective_date":"2011-06-04","enforcing_agency":"EPA / State pesticide regulators","penalties":null,"source_ref":null}],"certifications":[],"labeling":{"required_disclosures":[],"prop65_warning":{"required":null,"chemicals":[],"endpoint":null,"notes":null},"ghs_labeling":{"required":null,"signal_word":null,"pictograms":[],"hazard_statements":[],"notes":null},"hidden_ingredients":{"trade_secret_protected":null,"categories_hidden":[],"estimated_count":null,"known_concerns":null,"notes":null},"notes":null},"recalls":[],"regulatory_gap":null,"notes":null},"lifecycle":{"recyclable":false,"disposal_guidance":"Dispose unused rodenticide and dead rodents in sealed double bags in household trash (check local regulations — some jurisdictions require hazardous waste disposal). Do not compost poisoned rodent carcasses — secondary poisoning risk to wildlife (raptors, foxes). Wear gloves when handling bait or dead rodents.","hazardous_waste":true,"expected_lifespan":"1-3 years (bait product)"},"formulation":{"form":"varies","key_ingredients":[],"certifications":[]},"materials":{"common":[],"concerning":[],"preferred":[]},"compound_composition":[{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000071","compound_name":null,"role":"active_toxicant","typical_concentration":"0.005% (50 ppm) in bait, bioconcentrated in rodent tissues"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000072","compound_name":null,"role":"alternative_toxicant","typical_concentration":"0.01% (100 ppm) in bait, NO antidote"},{"hq_id":"hq-c-org-000351","compound_name":null,"role":"first_generation_anticoagulant","typical_concentration":"0.025% (250 ppm) in bait — lower toxicity than SGARs"}],"identifiers":{"common_names":["rodenticide secondary poisoning (anticoagulant brodifacoum — dogs eating poisoned mice, vitamin k1 treatment protocol)"],"aliases":[],"manufacturer":null,"brands":[]},"brand_examples":[{"brand":"Zymox","manufacturer":"Pet King Brands","market_position":"premium","notable":"Enzymatic ear cleaner"},{"brand":"Virbac Epi-Otic","manufacturer":"Virbac","market_position":"premium","notable":"Veterinary ear cleaner"},{"brand":"Vet's Best","manufacturer":"Bramton","market_position":"mass_market","notable":"Natural pet ear cleaner"}],"brand_examples_disclaimer":"Representative branded products of this category. Concerning ingredients listed in materials.concerning[] apply to the category, not necessarily to every named brand. Specific formulations vary by SKU and may have changed since this record was written; consult the brand's current ingredient label before drawing brand-level conclusions.","sources":[{"type":"expert_curation","name":"ALETHEIA Safety Database","date":"2026-03-25"},{"type":"regulation","title":"EPA FIFRA — Rodenticide Risk Mitigation Decision (2008/2011) (EPA Risk Mitigation Decision for Ten Rodenticides (2008); EPA Final Rule 2011)","jurisdiction":"USA","year":2011,"citation":"EPA Risk Mitigation Decision for Ten Rodenticides (2008); EPA Final Rule 2011","id":"src_824f5654"},{"id":"epa_sgar_2008","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA: Reregistration Eligibility Decision (RED) for Rodenticides — Second Generation Anticoagulants (Brodifacoum, Bromadiolone, Difethialone, Difenacoum)","year":2008,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000071"},{"id":"aspca_brodifacoum","type":"report","title":"ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Anticoagulant Rodenticide Toxicosis in Companion Animals — Clinical Management and Prognosis","year":2022,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000071"},{"id":"aspca_bromethalin","type":"report","title":"ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Bromethalin Rodenticide Toxicosis — Recognition, Management and Prognosis in Companion Animals","year":2022,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000072"},{"id":"epa_bromethalin_reg","type":"regulatory","title":"US EPA: Bromethalin — Registration Eligibility Decision and Risk Assessment","year":2013,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000072"},{"id":"fda_warfarin_label_2023","type":"regulatory","title":"FDA Prescribing Information: Warfarin (Coumadin) — vitamin K antagonist; narrow therapeutic index; bleeding risk; INR monitoring; vitamin K1/PCC antidotes; CYP2C9/VKORC1 pharmacogenomics; many drug-food interactions; DOAC comparison (2023)","year":2023,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000351"},{"id":"aspca_apcc_anticoagulant_2023","type":"veterinary","title":"ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center: Anticoagulant Rodenticide Toxicosis — warfarin vs superwarfarins (brodifacoum/bromadiolone); relay toxicosis; prolonged vitamin K1 treatment; coagulopathy signs; PT/APTT; transfusion; 4–6 week treatment duration (2023)","year":2023,"inherited_from_compound":"hq-c-org-000351"},{"type":"regulatory","title":"US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)","jurisdiction":"USA","id":"src_defdd418","extraction":"description_reference"}],"meta":{"schema_version":"4.0.0","last_updated":"2026-03-25","timestamp":"2026-05-14T01:26:37.362Z"}}