Anticoagulant poisoning in animals: a simple new high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method for the simultaneous determination of eight anticoagulant rodenticides in liver samples.

The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate a technique for the analysis of anticoagulant rodenticides in serum and liver samples using a new high-performance thin-layer chromatographic apparatus. Detection limits were estimated at 0.2 micrograms/g in liver extracts for eight different substances. Overall, this technique was repeatable and reproducible. The percent recovery was greater than 87% for each substance. Liver and serum samples of animals known to be exposed to one anticoagulant and showing clinical signs of poisoning were analyzed. Concentrations measured varied between 0.2 and 3 micrograms/g (liver extracts). Only blood samples from one dog could be analyzed. The concentration was 150 ng/mL the first day after admission and 140 ng/mL the following day. Analyses are technically easily and rapidly performed, and they are inexpensive. Therefore, this technique could be a valuable alternative to current high-performance liquid chromatographic methods.