by Janet Farricelli CPDT-KA

Created on: May 04, 2009

It is readily accessible, it is easy to lap up and it smells and tastes sweet. Every year, hundreds of dogs and cats are lured to lick some up from a small puddle under the car's leaking radiator..We are talking about the substance''ethylene glycol'' commonly found in antifreeze.

The occurrences of antifreeze poisoning are much higher in the fall and spring when owners adjust their car to temperature changes. However, antifreeze is not the only product to contain ethylene glycol, rather, this poisonous and lethal substance may be found as well in air-conditioning coolants and brake fluids. The product may be found in toilet bowls of vacation homes that have been winterized during the winter. Also if you are a professional photographer, ethylene glycol may also be found in various products you may use in the development and processing of film in the dark room.

Symptoms Suggesting Ingestion of Antifreeze

Depending on the quantity ingested, symptoms may appear within hours or days. Most appear from 30 minutes to 12 hours post ingestion. Symptoms suggesting ingestion of antifreeze are as follows: -

''Drunk'' like gai

t -Nausea and Vomiting

-Drooling

-Loss of Appetite

-Increased Drinking and Increased Urination (later progressing to no urine output)

-Lethargy

-Wobbly Gait

-Muscle twitching

-Rapid darting eye movements

-Coma

-Death

What to Do if Your Pet Ingests Antifreeze

Ethylene glycol becomes toxic once the pet ingests it. This is due to the production of ''metabolites'' substances that are produced by the pet's body as it breaks down the ethylene glycol, often causing severe kidney failure.

The toxic amount sufficient to poison a 10 pound dog is 1 to 2 tablespoonfuls while the toxic amount that can be fatal to a 10 pound cat is around 1 teaspoonful. Time is of the essence as there is a small window of opportunity for treatment. You want to have your pet seen immediately or at worst, within 2- 4 hours before extensive damage to vital organs is done.

Your veterinarian may tell you by phone to immediately induce vomiting in your pet: this is accomplished by using 3% hydrogen peroxide in the amount the vet suggests depending on your pet's weight. Induction of vomiting is only effective if accomplished within a short time frame. After that time, inducing vomiting is futile. Generally after 24 hours have passed post ingestion, there is not much left to do treatment wise, and the pet may not recover, succumbing to acute kidney failure.

Treatment

Owners suspecting antifreeze

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