7 Things to Know about Antifreeze

From Dogster, 7 Things You Need to Know About Antifreeze:

* Symptoms vary, depending on how long it has been since the dog drank the antifreeze. They will also depend on how much of the poison they drank.

* Initial symptoms mirror those of intoxication.

* The ethylene glycol can cause an irritating effect on a dog's stomach, which may cause vomiting.

* Dogs will urinate and drink excessively. They may be depressed and exhibit signs of poor balance.

* Dogs drink more because the thirst centers of the brain are stimulated in response to the poison ingestion.

* While some dogs may appear to look and feel better 12 hours later, it is only because the liver and kidneys are working to metabolize the ethylene glycol. It is common, however, that symptoms return in 24 hours, and are much worse. Things to look for are dehydration, weakness, depression, diarrhea, rapid breathing, mouth ulcers and seizures.

* If you are certain that your dog has consumed antifreeze, you should attempt to induce vomiting and get him or her to a medical professional immediately.

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I remember growing up next to a man who did a lot of his own car repair work in his yard, and he had a dog die from lapping up only a smidge of antifreeze/coolant. Dogs seem to be drawn to it, too.. the sweet smell or something about it that makes it freakishly enticing.

Just an FYI, it only takes a moment for them to find a singularly lick for it to be a fatal situation.

Comments

  • edited November -1
    That's exactly how my cat, Jake, died many years ago. She licked up the anti-freeze that had been dripping from my dad's car. I guess it tastes like candy. We took her the hospital. They did all they could to save her, pumping her with fluids and all. This stuff affected her kidneys. The day I was to take her home was the day she died in my arms. There wasn't anymore that could have been done. Once the anti-freeze enters the system it's immediate kidney damage and failure.

    The best antidote for this is a preventative.
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