Is bromethalin rat poison toxic to dogs?
Bromethalin is a rat poison that causes brain swelling. Unlike older anticoagulant rat poisons, there is no antidote and no vitamin K treatment, so prompt decontamination at a vet is key. The toxic principle is bromethalin, which causes brain swelling by uncoupling energy production in nerve cells.
Toxic dose by dog weight
There is no reliable numeric toxic dose for bromethalin rat poison in dogs, so we don't show a weight-band table — inventing one would be misleading. No safe dose; dogs can develop signs at low doses. Published canine LD50 values range roughly 2.4–5.6 mg/kg. There is no antidote. Smaller dogs (toy and small breeds) are generally at higher risk from any given amount.
Published dose reference: Pet Poison Helpline — Bromethalin Rat Poison.
Symptoms timeline
0–2 hours: often no signs yet, vomiting.
2–12 hours: tremors, hind-leg weakness, wobbliness.
12–72 hours: seizures, paralysis, depression or coma.
Days later: weakness or paralysis can start 1–5 days later, and signs can take up to 7 days to appear (Merck Veterinary Manual). If in doubt, call your vet.
Go to the vet / call ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435 now if…
- Your dog ate any rat or mouse bait — bring the package
- Your dog is wobbly, weak in the back legs, or has tremors
- You are unsure what or how much your dog ate
- Your dog is very young, old, pregnant or has heart, liver or kidney disease
First aid: do's and don'ts
Do:
- Move your dog away from the source and remove any remaining material from their mouth if it is safe to do so
- Keep the packaging, label or a sample/photo of what was eaten
- Note your dog's weight, the approximate amount and the time of ingestion
- Call your vet or a pet poison hotline right away
Don't:
- Never induce vomiting without veterinary advice — for some substances it causes more harm
- Don't give salt, hydrogen peroxide, oils or home remedies unless a vet tells you to
- Don't wait for symptoms if the substance is highly toxic
- Don't give human medicines to treat symptoms
How vets treat bromethalin rat poison exposure
Treatment depends on the amount, time since ingestion and your dog's signs. It may include decontamination when appropriate, activated charcoal for some toxins, IV fluids, medications to control signs, and monitoring. Bring the packaging so your vet can tailor treatment.
Prognosis
Most dogs treated early do well. The outlook depends on the dose, how quickly care begins, and your dog's overall health. Severe or delayed cases carry a more guarded prognosis.
What to do now
Call your veterinarian or an animal poison-control service for exposure-specific advice. Dog poison control: phone numbers, fees and when to call.