HANDLING THE RAT MENACE..

. Rats have been linked to the spread of a lot of disease ,some are fatal while others can be treated.The best way to stay safe is by rodent control.The health risk posed by rats affects man, poultry,dogs and some other animals. Diseases occur as a result of interaction between hosts, agent and environment.Rats are no different from all other carriers,in this sense hence environment influences the infection and risk/rate of exposure. Living in a dirty,unkempt environment increases the chances of infection and consequent spread of infection.Rats are know to thrive where there is food and water, and most rats can eat anything. Living in close quarters with dogs, poultry and horses increases risk of infection.Living in highly populated environment surrounded by filth also poses risk of infection.Rats find their way to food industry and food processing plants posing a risk of food contamination from source. Rats are everywhere causing diseases by contamination through urine,feces, hair,and feet. Rats basically transfer these disease agents by contamination of feed,food,water,toys and clothing.The best way to avoid any disease is by proper pest control and maintenance of clean environment.The following are steps to keeps rats out;1) Use of rat traps 2) keep houses/farms rodent proof; by removing unfinished food, cover bins and keep them far away from homes. 3) rat adhesive boards 4) baits 5)proper waste management. 6) rat-proof your doors,windows in farms,homes and factory. Rats cause food wastage resulting in economic losses,when a food is contaminated by urine or feces,throw away immediately. If you suspect your pets toy is contaminated with rat urine throw away,same with clothing or any other contaminated material. Stay safe # avoid rat bites # dont eat rats # keep environment clean.

RODENTICIDE POISONING IN DOGS.

Dogs are curious animals,running and rumbling through stuff and especially tasting and chewing all sorts.The responsibility of the pet owner is not only the nutrition and health of the pet, they must ensure environmental safety. 

Pets should be protected from harmful chemicals,irritating fluids and compounds that are generally harmful to them.

The cases of poisoning in pets are accidental and majorly from sheer carelessness where the pet owner keeps stuffs that are harmful to pets lying around.Its a known fact that stuff poisonous to dogs are usually household items that are non poisonous to man, so the point is for the pet owner to know what stuff to leave around and what stuff to hide/keep away. 

 Dogs get rodenticide poisoning in areas where rodent baits are commonly used and where there is a lack of proper disposal of dead rats. 

When de-ratization is to be carried out,the baits must be properly laid in areas where the pet will be restricted and a proper disposal mechanism must be enforced to prevent poisoning. 

Dogs usually get poisoned by ingesting the bait directly or by ingesting the dead rodents. The signs of rodenticide poisoning are 1) weakness 2) inappetence 3) bleeding in mouth and anal region.

The first step is to induce vomiting; using hydrogen peroxide, followed by a vitamin k injection to stop bleeding.

Give pet cool water to flush system. 

 When rodent control is to be carried out its in the interest of all to lay baits strategically.