Antifreeze - Deadly Danger

It’s that time of the year when we need to be reminded of the toxic dangers of antifreeze for both dogs and cats.  Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, which is a colorless and odorless alcohol that has a sweet taste that animals are attracted to.  Just a few licks antifreeze can cause kidney failure and death.

Clinical signs of early ethylene glycol toxicity include:

• Drunken appearing (ataxia) gait
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Increased thirst
• Lethargy
• Coma

It’s extremely important that a veterinarian sees your pet as quickly as possible after ingestion or suspect ingestion of ethylene glycol.  

Prevention tips:

• Do not let your dog roam freely, especially in the garage
• Check your car for any leaks
• Keep antifreeze containers tightly closed and stored out of reach of pets
• If antifreeze is spilled make sure that it is thoroughly cleaned up
1. Use cat litter to absorb the liquid
2.  Clean up the area with rags
3.  Safely dispose of both the cat litter and rags
4.  Finally rinse the area with water 
• Never pour used antifreeze down storm drains, sinks, toilets or on the ground
  o   Wildlife can suffer from antifreeze poisoning too

There are now less toxic antifreeze alternatives to ethylene glycol available containing propylene glycol.  Although not entirely nontoxic propylene glycol is significantly less toxic and appears to be less tasty to animals.  Please look for these pet safe propylene-glycol antifreeze alternatives.

If you suspect your pet has consumed or might have consumed any toxic substance call your veterinarian and/or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888) 426-4435.