A real EPIC patient story — and what every Tampa Bay pet owner needs to know when rodenticide risk is at its peak.

  • EPIC Specialty & Emergency Pet Care
  • Board-Certified Specialists
  • Open 24/7 · Tampa & St. Petersburg

Just last week, two dogs named Murphy and Oliver got into rat poison after heavy rain washed bait into their yard. Their family didn’t wait — they rushed both dogs to EPIC Tampa right away, and because they acted fast, Murphy and Oliver both pulled through. Their story was picked up by FOX 13 Tampa Bay, and we’re sharing it here because it’s one every pet owner should hear.

Rodenticide exposure is one of those emergencies that spikes every rainy season in Florida, and it often catches families off guard — because the poison doesn’t always look like poison, and the symptoms can take days to appear. Here’s what our team wants every dog owner in Tampa Bay to know.

Tip 01 · Rainy Season Risk

Why the Risk Peaks Right Now

Florida’s rainy season runs from mid-May through mid-October, with August and September the wettest months of all. That matters more than most people realize: heavy downpours can wash rodenticide out of bait stations and carry it into yards, onto sidewalks, and through storm runoff — places your dog walks and sniffs every day. Wet weather also drives rodents indoors, which means more bait gets put down, in more places, right when your pet is most likely to encounter it. If you use bait around your home or know your neighbors do, this is the time of year to be extra vigilant.

Pet safety PSA with text warning about rat poison dangers during rainy season. Image shows various colored rodent poison blocks and pellets. Logo: Epic Specialty & Emergency Pet Care. Website: www.epicvetcare.com.

Tip 02 · Know What You’re Looking For

What Rat Poison Actually Looks Like

Rodenticide rarely looks dangerous, which is exactly what makes it so easy for a curious dog to get into. It commonly comes in a few forms:

  • Hard, waxy blocks that look chewable
  • Loose pellets or grain-like bait
  • Soft baits packaged in paste-like pouches
  • Black plastic bait stations placed along walls, fences, and foundations

Rat poison is often dyed bright blue, green, teal, or pink — but color is never a safe way to identify it or judge how dangerous it is. If you find something you can’t identify near where your pet has been, treat it as a potential emergency.

Tip 03 · Know the Signs

Symptoms Can Be Delayed 3–5 Days

This is the part that surprises people most: with the most common rat poisons, symptoms often don’t appear for three to five days after your dog is exposed. By the time you notice something is wrong, it may already be an emergency. Watch for:

  • Lethargy or weakness
  • Pale gums
  • Difficulty breathing or coughing
  • Bleeding — from the nose, gums, urine, or stool
  • Unexplained bruising
  • Loss of appetite

If you see any of these signs — especially if there’s any chance your dog got into bait recently — don’t wait for them to worsen. Get to an emergency vet right away.

A small dog lies on a veterinary exam table while a vet in blue gloves gently holds it. Another person in a white coat writes on a clipboard in the background.

Tip 04 · Act Fast

What to Do If You Suspect Exposure

When it comes to rodenticide, minutes matter, and acting before symptoms appear gives your dog the best possible outcome. If you suspect exposure:

  1. Get your dog away from any remaining bait.
  2. Grab the packaging to bring with you — the active ingredient tells the medical team exactly how to treat your pet.
  3. Call poison control or your emergency vet right away.
  4. Do not induce vomiting unless a veterinary professional tells you to.

Keep these 24/7 hotlines handy:

Tip 05 · Prevention

Keeping Bait Out of Reach

The best emergency is the one that never happens. If you use rodent bait at home, place it only in tamper-resistant stations, well out of your pet’s reach, and check on it after heavy rain. Ask your neighbors, landscapers, or property managers whether bait is being used nearby, and keep dogs leashed and close on walks after storms — especially along fence lines, garages, and foundations where bait is often placed. When in doubt, keep your dog away and keep an eye on the ground.

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