Photo by JanPietruszka.
With cooler weather suddenly upon us, some people are starting to change their radiator fluid. The antifreeze that is put into radiator fluid is highly toxic to the kidneys of animals, even when ingested in small amounts.
Automobile antifreeze is composed of 95 percent ethylene glycol. If an average-size cat drinks a little over one tablespoon or a small dog ingests a quarter-cup of undiluted antifreeze, it can be lethal unless treated immediately. Once antifreeze is consumed it is absorbed very quickly from the stomach and broken down by the liver and kidneys to a more toxic compound. If you see your pet lapping any amount of antifreeze, treat it as a medical emergency and get immediate care.
Typical symptoms include drinking and urinating more than usual, vomiting, diarrhea and difficulty walking. As the toxicity progresses over one to three days, there will be severe depression, no appetite, continual vomiting and ulcers in the mouth. These are all signs that the kidneys are failing. Death soon follows. This problem is difficult to diagnose if you’re unaware that your pet has ingested the substance.
If your pet comes in immediately after ingestion, we will immediately induce vomiting. Assuming that this is performed soon after ingestion, it will substantially decrease further absorption of the toxin. We will then place activated charcoal in the stomach to help absorb and bind up any antifreeze left. Simultaneously, your pet will be placed on intravenous fluids. These fluids help flush the kidneys and remove additional toxin that is already been absorbed into the bloodstream.
Specific treatments exist that can be given intravenously to block the breakdown of the ethylene glycol and allow these potential toxins to be excreted safely by the kidneys. However, they must be given less than 24 hours after ingestion
There is an alternative to antifreeze that is safe without sacrificing your cars performance: Sierra Antifreeze-Coolant. Their new formula is less toxic and safer for kids, pets and wildlife. For more information, call 1.800.289.7234.
To learn more about how antifreeze affects the kidneys please follow this link to our kidney page.