Toxicology Tuesday

In a shameless attempt to encourage comments, I am instituting a weekly contest called "Toxicology Tuesday." There are no prizes, unless you count the knowledge you will gain about potential poisons in your home. Each week, I will post a photo of a common household item that may or may not pose a risk to your pets. Post your answers to the question "Toxic or Not?" in the Comments section, and I will complete the post when you have had a chance to reply.

This week's Toxicology Tuesday is an easy one, to get you started.

Toxic or Not?

Answer: Extremely toxic to both dogs and cats.

I would hope no one would get this one wrong. The active ingredient in antifreeze, ethylene glycol, breaks down into chemicals that cause permanent kidney failure by binding to the renal tubules. If detected early enough, there is an antidote, but once the signs of kidney failure are apparent, it is universally fatal.

If you see your pet licking at spilled antifreeze, don’t wait, take it immediately to your veterinarian or the local veterinary emergency service. It only takes ½ tablespoon of antifreeze to kill a 10 lb. cat or 2 to 4 tablespoons for a 20 lb. dog. The same advice holds true even if you only suspect your pet may have ingested this toxin, particularly if it acts “drunk,” since staggering and disorientation are early symptoms, as are increased thirst and increased urination.

Antifreeze has a sweet taste that dogs and children find appealing. Currently in Ohio, there is proposed legislation requiring that a bittering agent be added to antifreeze to help reduce the number of accidental poisonings. Always store antifreeze away from your pets, and if you spill any, rinse it thoroughly with plenty of water to dilute this tasty toxin. There is a way to minimize the risk to your pets by using a less toxic antifreeze, one based on propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol. Ask your mechanic about using pet-safe antifreeze in your car or read package labels when you buy antifreeze.