Health & Fitness
Simple Steps to Preventing Antifreeze Poisoning
Read this post to learn about warning signs of anitfreeze poisioning and the benefits of early detection.
Did you know that antifreeze is toxic to dogs and cats? Antifreeze contains a chemical called ethylene glycol that, when metabolized, produces toxic substances in the body that damage the kidneys and causes them to fail. As little as two
teaspoons of antifreeze is enough to kill a cat! Unfortunately for them, dogs
and cats have a fatal attraction to antifreeze- its sweet taste draws them in
and tempts them to ingest it. Uncovered containers, leaks on the garage floor,
and spillage on the driveway make ingesting antifreeze an easy endeavor for
your pets.
Vomiting,diarrhea, and lack of appetite are the initial warning signs of antifreeze
poisoning. Seizures and coma can also occur when higher amounts are ingested.
Luckily, an antidote that blocks the conversion of the antifreeze into toxic
parts is available, but it must be given to animals in the first three hours
after exposure. In the event that the commercial antidote is not available an
intravenous infusion of Vodka can be used to prevent the antifreeze from breaking
down into toxic substances.
Owners often miss the initial signs of antifreeze poisoning since they are similar to
signs of other illnesses. By the time the animals reach our office, complete kidney
failure has often occurred. In the wintertime especially, antifreeze should be
on your mind, as the cause of the above symptoms and action needs to be taken
right away.
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Prevention is the best cure for antifreeze poisoning. Make sure containers are covered and out of pets’ reach. Clean up any spillage you have on the driveway or in the garage. If you have used antifreeze or it is in the house be on the look out
for vomiting, diarrhea, or loss of appetite.
As always, anytime your dog or cat is not feeling well or not eating, don’t wait!
Make an appointment with our office right away to get the proper diagnosis and
treatment plan before their condition deteriorates. Remember your pets can’t
tell you what’s wrong. Physical symptoms are cues that something is amiss and
should be taken seriously.
