Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) can be fatal to pets, wildlife, and even children. Most commercial antifreeze contains ethylene glycol that has a sweet taste many dogs and cats can smell and seek out. A tiny amount can be fatal — less than two ounces is enough to kill a dog, one teaspoon enough to kill a cat, and as little as two tablespoons can be hazardous to a small child. Most animals will drink many times the fatal dose.
The first symptom is acting drunk, staggering, vomiting, profuse drinking, and urination, often followed by a period of apparent recovery. One to three days later, there will be signs of kidney failure such as not eating, depression, vomiting, dehydration, coma and eventually death. If you are even a little suspicious that your pet has consumed antifreeze, see your veterinarian immediately. Early detection can save a life. Treatment must be started within hours to prevent irreversible and fatal kidney damage.
Here is what you should KNOW:
If your pet is showing signs of ingesting a poison, it is important that she/he is examined by your veterinarian and treated appropriately. Some toxins can progress and lead to severe seizures. If you suspect Antifreeze poisoning, it must be treated within 4-6 hours, before irreversible kidney damage is done.
In most cases of poisoning, getting your pet to vomit is the most important thing that you can do.
To induce vomiting, give hydrogen peroxide at 1 teaspoon per 10 lbs of body weight. If your pet doesn’t vomit in 10 minutes, repeat again. NEVER do more than 2 treatments of peroxide. You can also try salt: dilute 1 teaspoon of salt in a tablespoon of water per every 10lbs of body weight.
Activated charcoal is good it delays absorption of any toxin by binding to the toxic compound in the stomach. The easiest way is to give the capsule form. It is a good idea to have hydrogen peroxide and activated charcoal always on hand. Both of these are readily available at most pharmacies.
Fortunately, antifreeze poisoning is totally preventable. A small amount of carefulness and effort can save lives:
- Dispose of drained antifreeze properly, in an environmentally safe manner. Before dumping it in sewers and septic tanks, make sure it’s safe and legal to do so.
- Don’t leave an antifreeze container open, even for a minute. A minute is all it takes for an animal — or a child — to drink a lethal dose.
- Hose down and dilute boil-overs, spillage or leaks. If it is still green, it is still toxic!
- Store concentrated antifreeze in tight containers, out of reach of animals and children.
- Repair leaky car radiators, hoses, and water pumps.
Use a non-toxic antifreeze, such as Sierra, which contains propylene glycol. This substance can still cause illness, especially in cats, but is far less dangerous than ethylene glycol.
Hope you found this information helpful.
To Your Pets Health,
Alice
It’s a simple but effective idea: Help Dogs Deserve Better through Election Day by taking all your spare change, tossing it in a jar, and saving it up through November 4th.
