A 55-year-old cancer patient in Hanoi suffered severe bleeding and a potentially life-threatening blood-clotting disorder after allegedly eating dog meat that doctors suspected had been contaminated with rat poison.
The man had been undergoing radiotherapy for colorectal cancer at Hanoi Oncology Hospital since February. His family recently gave him dog meat, believing it was a protein-rich food that could help improve his nutritional condition during treatment.
However, just one day after eating the meat, the man began experiencing continuous bleeding from his eyes and noticed dark-red blood in his stool.
His family initially brought him to a local hospital, where he was treated for three days before being transferred to Hanoi Oncology Hospital after suffering significant blood loss and severe problems with blood clotting.
The hospital announced details of the case on August 12, although it did not disclose the exact date when the incident occurred.
Based on the patient’s medical history and symptoms, doctors suspected that the dog meat could have been contaminated with rat poison. Further examination found that he had been exposed to a vitamin K antagonist rodenticide, a type of poison that interferes with the body’s ability to clot blood and can cause prolonged and potentially severe bleeding.
Dr Le Thi Tuyen from the hospital’s intensive care unit said identifying the underlying cause of the bleeding was just as important as controlling the bleeding itself.
She warned that relying solely on blood transfusions or conventional medication to stop bleeding would not be sufficient if the poisoning remained undetected, as the patient could continue losing blood and eventually face a life-threatening situation.
Doctors treated the patient with high doses of vitamin K, alongside red blood cell transfusions, fresh frozen plasma and other blood products. The treatment was aimed at replacing the blood he had lost while restoring his ability to form blood clots.
After five days of treatment, the bleeding was brought under control and his blood-clotting indicators improved. His overall condition subsequently stabilised.
Doctors said the incident highlights the potential dangers of consuming food from uncertain or unverified sources, particularly among cancer patients whose health may already be weakened by their illness and treatment.
They also advised patients not to consume foods based on claims that they provide special health benefits without first consulting medical professionals.
Doctors urged anyone who develops unusual bleeding, including bleeding under the skin, in the eyes or in the stool, to seek medical attention immediately. People who experience unexplained symptoms after consuming food should also be assessed by a doctor as soon as possible.
