| ANTIFREEZE POISONING |
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 Antifreeze, or ethylene glycol, is a commonly available coolant for
most water-cooled engines. It may also be used as an antifreeze in
winter weather. Unfortunately, the chemical is very toxic and can be
lethal, even in small amounts, to all animals.
Dogs and cats are
naturally curious and will taste everything. Antifreeze is somewhat
sweet and is often palatable to dogs. Newer coolants are now
available that eliminate this sweet taste, but ethylene glycol
nonetheless remains the most common coolant. Antifreeze is easily
identified by its fluorescent green color. Rapidly absorbed by the
gastrointestinal system, even very small doses of antifreeze can be
fatal, if left untreated.
The liquid itself is not toxic. When it is
processed by the body, however, it can produce severe metabolic
changes and cause irreversible damage to the kidneys. |
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| Clinical Signs |
| Signs of antifreeze poisoning include changes in breathing patterns,
vomiting, depression, lack of coordination, seizures, coma and
death. These symptoms can occur anytime from 30 minutes to 12 hours
after ingestion. The prognosis depends on when treatment is
initiated and on the amount ingested. Kidney failure may occur
despite treatment, resulting in increased urination and thirst,
which may lead to death. |
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| Diagnosis |
| The diagnosis of antifreeze poisoning is made by blood and urine tests
although some of these tests become negative by the time kidney failure
develops. Antifreeze poisoning should be considered in any free-roaming dog
or cat with consistent signs. Treatment for antifreeze poisoning needs to be
started as soon after ingestion as possible to be effective. The earlier
treatment is started, the greater the chance of survival. Once kidney
failure develops, most animals will die. |
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| Treatment |
The treatment for antifreeze poisoning depends on when the pet is
presented to the veterinarian. If the pet is seen within a few hours of
ingesting antifreeze, vomiting is induced to remove any antifreeze still in
the stomach and charcoal is placed in the stomach to bind antifreeze in the
intestine. Antifreeze itself is not very toxic but it is broken down by the
liver to other components that cause the damage. If the pet is presented to
a veterinarian soon after drinking antifreeze, a drug is given that impairs
the liver from converting antifreeze to these toxic products, allowing the
unconverted antifreeze to pass in the urine. These drugs are useful only
when given early and are not effective after the pet is already showing
signs of kidney damage.
Your veterinarian will hospitalize
your pet for emergency and supportive care. Treatment may include
the administration of activated charcoal to absorb the toxin, the
injection of intravenous fluids and an antidote (one of two
treatments: 4-methylpyrazole or ethanol, to counteract the action of
the antifreeze metabolites). Long-term recuperative therapy may
include a change in diet or a prescription diet that is appropriate
for pets with renal failure |
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A pet
does not have to drink a lot of antifreeze to be poisoned. Most brands of
commercial antifreeze consist of 95 percent ethylene glycol, an extremely
toxic chemical. Even a few licks of this sweet-tasting liquid can be fatal
to a cat or dog. (Ethylene- glycol-based antifreeze is also extremely
hazardous to children. |
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The
faster your pet is treated by a veterinarian the better the chances of
recovery. Again, this poison is extremely toxic. |
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Another
source of help is the National Poison Control Center, 800-548-2423. This
call will cost $50. |
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| Please do not use our website to attempt to diagnose or treat your pet. The consultation with your veterinarian is the best source of health advice for your individual pet. You should not rely, on the veterinary advice or any other information provided on this site for the diagnosis or treatment of any specific condition. You should always consult your own veterinarian for specific advice concerning the medical condition or general treatment of your pet. Günbil German shepherd dogs, worldclassgsd.com and or Günbil German shepherds, accepts no liability related to the veterinary advice and
information provided on this site regarding health matters. |
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