Effect of warfarin anticoagulant rodenticide on the blood cell counts of Rattus norvegicus and Rattus rattus

ABSTRACT

The effect of the warfarin LD50 on the counts of the blood cells of Norway rat, Rattus norvegicus and roof rat, Rattus rattus from Giza and Qualyobia Governorates was investigated in the laboratory. Warfarin toxication caused significantly different blood cell counts in treated rats compared to control ones. Warfarin significantly decreased the total erythrocytic count and increased the total leucocytic count of treated rats. But, it caused significant de-crease in neutrophrils, eosinophils, basophils and monocytes, but significant increase in lymphocytes. The data also showed that in survived rats, WBC count equaled the normal level or slightly exceeded it at 33/43 days post treatment