Antifreeze Poisoning

Pet owners wouldn’t think of feeding a spoonful of poison to their beloved four-legged friends. Yet, these same people may unwittingly be poisoning their pets by leaving antifreeze out for their pets to get into. Whether it’s in a puddle on the garage floor or in an open container, antifreeze can attract and kill household pets.

Antifreeze poisoning in dogs and cats is common this time of year as people change the antifreeze in their cars’ radiators. Animals often are drawn to this sweet-tasting liquid out of curiosity. Even in South Florida, antifreeze poisoning occurs. In areas with subfreezing temperatures, outdoor pets may find that the only unfrozen water available is in the puddles where radiators were drained.

The toxic agent in commercial antifreeze is ethylene glycol, a colorless, odorless liquid that makes up 95 percent of antifreeze solution. After ingestion, the poison is rapidly absorbed from the digestive tract and within 20 to 30 minutes vomiting, depression, lack of coordination, and weakness often occur.

The prognosis for animals poisoned with ethylene glycol depends on how much was ingested, the size of the animal, and when treatment was started. Early diagnosis is imperative to treat the animal effectively. If not treat4ed immediately, the animal may experience severe kidney damage, could lapse into a coma, and may die, all within 24 hours of ingestion.

For the safety of your pets (and those of your neighbors), dispose of antifreeze properly. Drain antifreeze into a container that can be closed and take it to a nearby service station for disposal. Thoroughly clean surfaces where the antifreeze was spilled. When storing antifreeze, make sure there are no leaks and the lid is on tight. There are also antifreeze alternatives available that do not contain ethylene glycol. They are slightly higher in cost, but well worth the peace of mind in knowing that your pet will not be subjected to a possible horrible death.

Consult your veterinarian immediately if you notice your pet consuming highly toxic antifreeze or if your pet exhibits some of the early symptoms associated with the poisoning. As in all cases of poisoning, knowing what your pet ingested and getting help rapidly may mean the difference between life and death.