Prepare for winter by protecting your car — and your pet
By Keith Turner
September 28, 2008
Fall is traditionally the time that conscious car owners prepare their vehicles for the upcoming cold weather by changing out the antifreeze in their radiators.
This can be a deadly proposition for dogs. Most common antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, a colorless and orderless liquid that apparently has a sweet taste to animals. But if ingested, this liquid can be extremely toxic for pets.
In an article published in the Marshall County News Messenger out of Marshall, Texas, Laverne Hughey, of the Humane Society of Harrison County, points out that every year some 90,000 pets and animals die from ingesting antifreeze that had been spilled on the ground or driveway during the replenishing process being done by a home mechanic.
When an animal swallows even a small amount, the poison is absorbed quickly from the digestive tract. Within a very short time — 20 to 30 minutes — the animal will suffer from vomiting, depression, weakness and lack of coordination, depending on the amount swallowed.
Just one small lick is enough to cause irreversible kidney damage, leading to coma and death. Once the ethylene glycol absorption has reached a certain point there is no way to stop the damage it can do. The animals with the best chance of survival are the ones actually seen lapping it up and swallowing it. The pet owner should put the dog or cat in the car and go immediately to a veterinarian. Timing is everything when an animal ingests any kind of poison.
Hughey urges dedicated do-it-yourselfers to be extra careful when handling antifreeze so that no spillage occurs and that any that does is cleaned up immediately. If a dog does get a lick of the bad stuff, an emergency trip to the vet must promptly take place, so that the poison can be handled medically.
A safer idea is to use an antifreeze that is less toxic and tasty to animals. There are some products on the market that use propylene glycol instead of ethylene.
Antifreeze has been available for several years in a less toxic propylene glycol formula which is not likely to kill an animal that ingests it. Several manufacturers now have the product which can be found at supercenters and even in smaller grocery stores. Read the product label to be certain it is the right product. The label will indicate “less toxic.” If still unsure, read the ingredients to confirm that the product contains propylene glycol and not ethylene glycol. The less toxic product will cost about $1.00 more than the toxic brands but is money well spent to save animals’ lives.
While antifreeze containing propylene glycol is significantly less toxic and not as tempting to an animal because of a bitter, unpleasant taste, it may make an animal ill if swallowed. However, a dog, cat or wildlife is not likely to ingest very much as it is so bitter.
Here’s the rest of the article.
If you can’t find the less toxic antifreeze, or if your vehicle requires only the more traditional, toxic, liquid, be certain to take every precaution to protect your pup from this deadly danger.
Let’s do what it takes to ensure we all enjoy a warm, happy and healthy winter.




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