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DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person swallowed rat bait or rodenticide — effects may be delayed but can cause serious bleeding or seizures depending on type.
The essentials if you need to act right now.
Call 112 and Poison Control. Save rat poison packet. Hospital even if fine now.
What might I see? Observable signs — no diagnosis required.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Blue-green or colored pellets, wax blocks, or powder ingested.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Seizures, nosebleeds, gum bleeding, or easy bruising (late).
Optional deeper explanation — not required to act.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Some rat poisons stop blood clotting — bleeding may not start for 1-3 days. Others affect the brain quickly.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Product label determines treatment — bring packaging.
Check the scene before you approach.
Civilian-safe actions you can take.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call Poison Control with product name from packet.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Estimate pellets or amount eaten.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Follow expert guidance on activated charcoal or hospital referral.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do not assume safety because person feels normal.
When and how to get professional help.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Identify what was taken, call Poison Control and emergency services, and follow their instructions. Do not guess treatments.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Call 112 and Poison Control. Read active ingredient from rat bait label.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Hospital monitoring and possible vitamin K or antidote depending on poison type.
Dangerous actions, when not to attempt rescue, and common myths.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT induce vomiting unless told to.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Do NOT skip hospital because symptoms are absent.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Rat poison works instantly like in movies
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Many rodenticides cause delayed internal bleeding days later. Early treatment prevents death.
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Sending person home without evaluation.
Other scenarios in the same family.
Child swallowed poison
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A child has swallowed household cleaner, medicine, plants, or another toxic substance. Small amounts can be serious in children.
Alcohol poisoning
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — A person who drank heavily is unconscious, vomiting, breathing slowly, or cannot be woken — beyond normal drunkenness.
Adult swallowed poison
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — An adult has swallowed an unknown or known toxic substance — household chemical, medicine, or other poison.
Button battery
DEVELOPMENT FIXTURE — Someone swallowed a small coin-shaped battery from a toy, remote, or watch. It can burn through tissue within hours.