Cholecalciferol

CHOLECALCIFEROL

  • 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.
  • Cholecalciferol produces hypercalcemia, which results in systemic calcification of soft tissue, leading to renal failure, cardiac abnormalities, hypertension, CNS depression and GI upset.
  • Cholecalciferol and its metabolites are fat soluble and stored in adipose tissue.
  • The primary circulating metabolite is calcifediol.
  • Companion animals face the risk with this rodenticide.
  • Hypercalcaemia due to the metabolite is the reason for toxicity. This induces conduction dysfunction and abnormal mineralisation in soft tissues.
  • Vomiting, diarrhoea, anorexia, polydipsia, polyuria and acute renal failure are the symptoms.
  • In survivors there will be loss of musculo skeletal functions and cardiac anomalies.
  • 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.
  • Loss of renal concentrating ability is a direct result of hypercalcemia. As hypercalcemia persists, mineralization of the kidneys results in progressive renal insufficiency.
  • Treatment is aimed at detoxification mechanisms and supportive therapy.
  • A low-calcium diet should be provided in all cases of significant exposure to cholecalciferol rodenticides.
Last modified: Wednesday, 4 August 2010, 7:54 AM