Alcohol Abuse Advice

Dog Prevention-Antifreeze

It’s about this time of year to be wary of your dog and the dangerous compounds that may lay around the house, yard and garage. One of the deadliest killers that takes dogs lives is antifreeze/coolant. The commonly used antifreeze compounds contain ethylene glycol, a very harmful and toxic component if ingested. Lethal amounts are roughly 1 teaspoon undiluted being capable of killing a 5-7 pound animal within an hour. Normally antifreeze is in a diluted form for several uses so more of a diluted solution would have to be eaten to attain toxic levels within your dog. Unfortunately, antifreeze has a sweet taste to it attracting dogs of all breeds, and will entice dogs to consume large amounts of the solution.

Poisoning occurs regularly when a pet is exposed to antifreeze leaking from a car’s cooling system or whenever it is changed. Another possibility is when it’s placed in a home plumbing system when heat won’t be maintained throughout the winter months (like in a smaller vacation home, cabin or cottage). When this is done, it’s important to remember to flush the system well before letting pets in the house.

After being exposed to the ethylene glycol, clinical signs will develop quite rapidly within 30 minutes and last as long as 12 hours, depending on the amount consumed. Symptoms may range from depression, signs of intoxication similar to alcohol consumption, vomiting, coma and death may occur amongst the initial signs of being poisoned. These signs usually last less then 12 hours in dogs causing dog owners to think the severe danger has passed. The kidneys are damaged severely by the antifreeze, after the central nervous system effect subdue, while kidney problems usually show up one to three days after ingestion. The formation of urine decreases until urine isn’t produced at all. This several renal failure causes symptoms of vomiting, sores in the mouth, increased oral odor, severe depression and then eventually coma and then death.

Antifreeze treatment must be initiated promptly for the pet to survive. Many dogs do best if treated by a veterinarian within five hours of ingestion yet the chances diminish rapidly eight hours after the dog had consumed the substance. If your dog shows any unexplained central nervous system disorders that occur acutely, it is extremely important to consider it a possibility of antifreeze poisoning.

Local hospitals and veterinarians have in house test kits available, and are often willing to test for ethylene glycol on emergency basis when exposure is suspected. Examination of the urine reveals crystals that are highly suspicious of ethylene glycol exposure about six hours after ingestion, but waiting for these to show up places your dog at risk.

Antifreeze poisoning causes a terrible death and can be prevented easily by proper handling of the the substance, and clean up procedures after handling to prevent and accidents. With the seasons coming up maintain clean area in and near your garage and driveway and be sure to keep antifreeze properly stored.

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