NAVLE Emergency Guide
Rodenticide Bleeding in Dogs and Cats: Triage and Stabilization Plan
Rodenticide cases often require action before full confirmation because hemorrhage risk can escalate quickly. This guide focuses on bleeding risk triage, stabilization, and practical follow-up planning.
Use this guide to move from first-pass pattern recognition to structured diagnostic and treatment logic. The flow is designed for NAVLE-style decision sequencing and practical ward preparation.
Rapid Algorithm
- Assess bleeding severity and perfusion status immediately in suspected exposure cases.
- Stabilize oxygen delivery, perfusion, and hemorrhage consequences first.
- Gather targeted diagnostics that support toxin suspicion and severity grading.
- Start indicated reversal and supportive therapies while monitoring response.
- Plan serial reassessment and owner communication on delayed bleeding risk.
Diagnostic Flow
- History timing and exposure probability strongly shape early decision urgency.
- Coagulation testing, PCV trends, and imaging can identify internal bleeding burden.
- Thoracic and abdominal assessments are useful when respiratory compromise or distension is present.
- Serial perfusion and hematologic monitoring detect progression despite initial stabilization.
- Track reassessment intervals clearly to avoid delayed recognition of recurrence.
Treatment Flow
- Stabilize hemodynamics and oxygen delivery before focusing on long-range toxin counseling.
- Use blood products or plasma support when bleeding severity warrants immediate correction.
- Initiate reversal strategies appropriate to likely toxin mechanism and clinical status.
- Provide strict activity and monitoring guidance during recovery windows.
- Confirm follow-up plan with recheck timing and escalation criteria.
Exam Traps
- Delaying stabilization while chasing complete toxin identification can be unsafe.
- Assuming normal early appearance excludes meaningful delayed hemorrhage risk.
- Insufficient follow-up planning may miss rebound coagulopathy.
- Overlooking thoracic bleeding signs can delay life-saving support.
- Missing owner communication details increases post-discharge failure risk.
Practice Prompts
- What first-hour findings raise urgency in suspected rodenticide cases?
- When should blood product support be prioritized over outpatient planning?
- Which follow-up tests matter most after initial stabilization?
- How can delayed bleeding risk be explained clearly to owners?
- What signs should trigger immediate emergency re-evaluation?
Related Content
- Return to pillar: NAVLE Emergency and Critical Care: Triage, Stabilize, Treat
- Pleural Effusion Differentials in Dogs and Cats: Practical Triage Framework
- GDV Approach in Dogs: Triage to Surgical Stabilization
- Use the Toxin Decontamination Planner
- Try 5 free practice questions on this topic
- Unlock unlimited practice (Premium)
Sources and Review Notes
- Drug label search (DailyMed)
- IRIS stages
- Normal lab values
- Heartworm treatment protocol
- Lab test protocols
- Microchip lookup
- Vertebral Heart Score
- BCS charts
- ACVIM cardiology consensus guideline references
- Dental charts
- AAHA vaccination guidelines
- Flea/tick product info
- Dog/cat breed search
- RECOVER CPR guidelines
Last reviewed: February 13, 2026
Educational only. This page is designed for study and does not replace case-specific diagnosis, local protocols, or direct supervision.