Strychnine Poisoning in pets
- urgentpawsvetclini
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The federal Pesticides Regulatory Directorate approves the emergency use of 2% liquid strychnine in Alberta from March 30, 2026 - November 1, 2027. Strychnine is a toxic poison that targets Richardson’s squirrels (commonly known as gophers), but it can harm other animals. Strychnine has been primarily used in a cracked corn bait to eliminate unwanted bird and rodent populations, but occasionally other species are inadvertently poisoned, especially when scavenging deceased carcasses. All animals are susceptible to strychnine poisoning. Following ingestion, strychnine is rapidly absorbed through all mucous membranes especially the stomach and small intestines and is rapidly eliminated by the kidney and liver.
What is Strychnine?
Strychnine is a highly toxic poison that has historically been used as a rodenticide (rat and gopher poison).
To download a map of approved emergency use focus areas for 2026 https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/agi-strychnine-emergency-use-request-focus-areas-2026.pdf
Why is strychnine dangerous to pets?
Strychnine affects the nervous system, The first clinical signs include uneasiness, restlessness, anxiety, muscle twitching and stiffness of the neck. The animal is in severe pain and the pupils are dilated. These signs can resemble tetanus, with an increase in spinal reflexes leading to tonic convulsions characterized by sudden contractions of all striated muscles followed by complete relaxation. The animal becomes hypersensitive to external stimuli and the slightest noise or touch can trigger convulsions. Death occurs as a result of respiratory arrest.
Signs of strychnine poisoning may include:
Anxiety or restlessness
Increased sensitivity to sounds, touch, or light
Muscle stiffness
Tremors
Severe muscle spasms
Seizures
Difficulty breathing
Sudden collapse
Symptoms often develop quickly, usually within 15 minutes to 2 hours after exposure.
What should I do if I think my pet has been exposed?
Strychnine poisoning is a medical emergency. If you suspect your pet has ingested strychnine or is showing any of the signs above, seek veterinary care immediately. Do not attempt to induce vomiting unless specifically instructed to do so by a veterinarian. Seek immediate medical attention. A tentative diagnosis can be made based on clinical signs and history. However, a positive diagnosis can only be made by identifying strychnine in the stomach contents and viscera. The drug can be identified by chemical tests and histopathological identification of typical strychnine crystals.
If you suspect your pet has been exposed to strychnine, do not wait for symptoms to worsen. Seek emergency veterinary care immediately. Early recognition and rapid treatment offer the best chance of survival.
Can strychnine poisoning be treated?
Strychnine poisoning is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate veterinary intervention. There is no antidote for strychnine and treatment is supportive and intensive. Without prompt treatment, affected pets often do not survive. Even with aggressive medical care, the prognosis for a full recovery can be poor, particularly if severe muscle spasms, seizures, or breathing difficulties have developed.
Due to the rapid absorption and action of strychnine, treatment is difficult. Treatment should be aimed at decontamination, control of tremors and seizures, prevention of hypoxia, and supportive care. This includes things like:
Limit stimulation. Sedate patient in a quiet, dimly lit room with cotton earplugs placed to prevent auditory stimulation.
Administer IV fluid therapy to maintain hydration and perfusion and aid in elimination.
Acidify urine to encourage excretion in urine
Control hyperthermia with active cooling
Induce emesis or perform gastric lavage with sedation
Administer activated charcoal with a cathartic in patients that are clinically normal and have a low risk of aspiration or via gastric tube if gastric lavage performed.
Controlling seizures and giving muscle relaxants
Intubation and mechanical ventilation may be needed in severely affected patients.
Strychnine toxicity is rapidly and very often fatal; signs can start in as little as 10 minutes after ingestion and death can occur in 1-2 hours. With the reintroduction of this poison to try and help control gopher populations, please monitor your pets closely when they are outside and do not allow them to eat the carcasses of any scavenged animal.
Prevention Tips
Keep pets away from areas where rodent or gopher control products may be used.
Do not allow pets to roam unsupervised in rural or agricultural areas.
Contact your veterinarian if you are unsure whether a pest control product contains strychnine.
If you suspect your pet has been exposed to strychnine, contact your veterinarian or an emergency veterinary hospital immediately.
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