Cholecalciferol
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Although this rodenticide was introduced with claims that it was less toxic to nontarget species than to rodents, clinical experience has shown that rodenticides containing cholecalciferol are a significant health threat to dogs and cats.
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Cholecalciferol produces hypercalcemia, which results in systemic calcification of soft tissue, leading to renal failure, cardiac abnormalities, hypertension, CNS depression and GI upset.
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Cholecalciferol and its metabolites are fat soluble and stored in adipose tissue.
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The primary circulating metabolite is calcifediol.
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Companion animals face the risk with this rodenticide.
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Hypercalcaemia due to the metabolite is the reason for toxicity. This induces conduction dysfunction and abnormal mineralisation in soft tissues.
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Vomiting, diarrhoea, anorexia, polydipsia, polyuria and acute renal failure are the symptoms.
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In survivors there will be loss of musculo skeletal functions and cardiac anomalies.
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Hematemesis and hemorrhagic diarrhea may develop as a result of dystrophic calcification of the GI tract and should not lead to a misdiagnosis of anticoagulant rodenticide toxicosis.
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Loss of renal concentrating ability is a direct result of hypercalcemia. As hypercalcemia persists, mineralization of the kidneys results in progressive renal insufficiency.
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A low-calcium diet should be provided in all cases of significant exposure to cholecalciferol rodenticides.
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Last modified: Wednesday, 4 August 2010, 7:54 AM