Ethylene Glycol (anti-freeze) is highly toxic to
pets. It is one of the most common types
of poisonings. Cats have an especially
low tolerance. It has a sweet taste that
pets love, so if it is available, they will drink it. Pets usually gain access to Ethylene Glycol
through spills, leaks, or improperly sealed containers.
Early symptoms of toxicity (usually within 30
minutes to a few hours) include: Vomiting, diarrhea, depression, a wobbly gait,
head tremors, rapid eye movement, increased urination, and thirst.
Advanced symptoms include: severe depression,
dehydration, coma, seizures, oral ulcers, and death
Symptoms are dependent on amount of Ethylene Glycol
consumed. The toxicity is caused by the
metabolites that are released as the body tries to breakdown the Ethylene
Glycol. These metabolites are toxic to
the liver, nervous system, and kidneys.
The sooner the animal is started on treatment the more likely the
Ethylene Glycol can be filtered out of the body before causing damage. If you have any suspicion that your pet has
consumed Ethylene Glycol, DON’T WAIT.
Get them to your veterinarian immediately. Once organ damage has occurred, treatment is
much more intense and the chances of recovery are severely diminished.
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