ANTIFREEZE TOXICITY   Antifreeze is a common poison to pets for three reasons: it is a commonly-used product, it is often improperly discarded, and it is sweet to the tast.   Antifreeze contains ethlene glycol which, when metabolized,causes kidney damage that is usaully fatal. Even a small amount will cause severe illness or death. Because the toxin is rapidly absosbed, symptoms may appear as early as one hour after ingestion. Symptoms are vague and mimic those of many other conditions and diseases. Symptoms (some or all may be present) Increased thirst Vomiting and diarrhea Depression Loss of coordination The pet may show slight improvement in its condition before its kidneys fail. First Aid Materials Hydrogen Peroxide Liquor (e.g., Vodka, Whiskey, Gin, Rum) Eye dropper or dosage syringe First Aid If your pet is conscious, induce vomiting immediately by feeding the dog one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide (mix with one teaspoon of milk if available).  If the dog will not drink the mixture or if there is no milk available, then forcefeed the dog the hydrogen peroxide using an eye dropper or a dosage syringe.  If vomiting does not occur within 10 minutes, repeat the procedure twice. Get immediate veterinary help. If a veterinarian cannot be found, then when vomiting ceases or if vomiting cannot be induced, feed the dog using the eyedropper or dosage syringe 2 tablespoons of liquor (e.g., vodka, whiskey, gin, rum) mixed with 2 tablespoons of half and half cream. (If half and half cream is not available, then use milk or water.) Wait 10 minutes, and if there are no signs of depression or intoxication administer another 1 tablespoon of liquor mixed with 1 tablespoon of half and half cream. (The ethanol in liquor competes with the ethylene glycol metebolism decreasing the amounts that may cause damage to the kidneys. I t also promotes increased urination to allow faster excretion of the poison.) Seek veterinary attention for further treatment.

ETHYLENE GLYCOL TOXICITY    Ethylene glycol is a chemical found in automabil antifreeze. Unfortunatly, dog find that antifreeze has a pleasant taste, and dogs that are outdoors unattended are therefore highly susceptible to ethylene glycol poisoning. When ethylene glycol is metabolized, it causes kidney damage that is usually fatal. Even a small amount will cause severe illness or death. Because the toxin is rapidly absosbed, symptoms may appear as early as one hour after ingetion. Symptoms are vague and mimic those of many conditions and diseases.   Symptoms (some or all may be present) Increased thirst Vomiting and diarrhea Depression Loss of coordination The pet may show slight improvement in its condition before its kidneys fail. First Aid Materials Hydrogen Peroxide Liquor (e.g., Vodka, Whiskey, Gin, Rum) Eye dropper or dosage syringe First Aid If your pet is conscious, induce vomiting immediately by feeding the dog one teaspoon of hydrogen peroxide (mix with one teaspoon of milk if available).  If the dog will not drink the mixture or if there is no milk available, then forcefeed the dog the hydrogen peroxide using an eye dropper or a dosage syringe.  If vomiting does not occur within 10 minutes, repeat the procedure twice. Get immediate veterinary help. If a veterinarian cannot be found, then when vomiting ceases or if vomiting cannot be induced, feed the dog using the eyedropper or dosage syringe 2 tablespoons of liquor (e.g., vodka, whiskey, gin, rum) mixed with 2 tablespoons of half and half cream. (If half and half cream is not available, then use milk or water.) Wait 10 minutes, and if there are no signs of depression or intoxication administer another 1 tablespoon of liquor mixed with 1 tablespoon of half and half cream. (The ethanol in liquor competes with the ethylene glycol metebolism decreasing the amounts that may cause damage to the kidneys. I t also promotes increased urination to allow faster excretion of the poison.) Seek veterinary attention for further treatment.

 

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