This article first appeared on iCatCare here.
During the winter we attempt to forestall freezing by utilizing ethylene glycol, in any other case generally known as antifreeze, in automotive radiators and in some display washes and de-icers.
Every yr throughout the winter months there is a rise within the variety of cats poisoned by antifreeze.
How are cats uncovered to ethylene glycol?
Cats solely must drink a teaspoon or much less of antifreeze for it to trigger severe sickness and even dying. So a curious lick or two from a bottle, or from a spillage, might be sufficient to trigger large issues for the cat. Antifreeze tends to be present in garages or on drives, the place it could be saved incorrectly or spilled whereas pouring right into a automotive radiator, or it might be left in a shallow tray after a automotive radiator has been drained. A cat strolling by means of a puddle of antifreeze will groom its coat or paws and ingest the poison this manner. Ethylene glycol might also be utilized in backyard water options to stop them freezing up, and sadly this can be drunk by a thirsty cat.
How does ethylene glycol hurt cats?
Ethylene glycol is damaged down within the liver and this course of produces different chemical compounds that severely injury the cat’s kidneys. This injury is usually so extreme that the cat can not survive.
What indicators of poisoning do cats present?
A cat could not present any indicators of poisoning for about half an hour after ingesting ethylene glycol. It could then begin to present indicators similar to illness, a wobbly gait (showing ‘drunk’), weak point and tiredness. As kidney injury develops, cats might also drink and urinate lots and turn out to be very unwell, even collapsing. Blood and urine samples taken by the vet will present abnormalities in step with ethylene glycol toxicity similar to kidney injury and sure crystals within the urine.
How can I forestall my cat being poisoned with ethylene glycol?
If you will have any merchandise containing ethylene glycol similar to antifreeze, ensure you retailer them safely away from kids and animals. Use display wash and de-icer sprays that don’t include ethylene glycol. If a automotive radiator has been drained and a splash of antifreeze stays on the ground, wipe it up fully and rinse the realm completely with water. Remember even a tiny quantity on a cat’s ft (picked up if it walks by means of a spillage) is sufficient to hurt it. If you suppose your cat has been uncovered in any respect, on the coat or ft or by lapping up water containing ethylene glycol, contact your vet instantly. If your vet has any worries over the remedy of your cat she or he could contact the Veterinary Poisons Information Service who will advise on what remedy can be finest for this example.
Being conscious of your cat’s regular well being and behavior will provide help to to note indicators of sickness and search remedy out of your vet immediately. For instance if a usually wholesome cat with outside entry returns residence and appears too quiet and is sick, and should you suppose there may be any doable probability it has been uncovered to ethylene glycol, search recommendation out of your veterinary apply instantly.
Are there alternate options to ethylene glycol?
Unfortunately, ethylene glycol is sort of universally used as an antifreeze agent, regardless of being so poisonous, and there are few alternate options. It is feasible to acquire propylene glycol based mostly antifreeze in some areas, and this represents a safer different (though dearer and nonetheless not fully secure).
Adding brokers that style bitter
It has been steered that every one antifreeze options ought to include an additive, similar to Bitrex®, or denatonium. Denatonium is a secure chemical that’s mentioned to be probably the most bitter tasting chemical identified and could be added to doubtlessly toxic substances to make it much less seemingly that they are going to be eaten or drunk.
While this seems like an excellent answer to the issue of cats and different animals consuming ethylene glycol, in actual fact denatonium (or Bitrx®) has not been proven to be very efficient in discouraging canine from consuming palatable meals and, in individuals, including denatonium to antifreeze options has apparently not decreased the frequency of poisoning amongst younger kids. Thus whereas including denatonium to antifreeze will do no hurt, it could effectively not have the specified impact in stopping animals consuming or licking the answer.
The finest recommendation subsequently is to be extremely vigilant and to stop animals and youngsters coming into contact with ethylene glycol, and in the event that they do, to get them handled as quickly as doable.
The sooner veterinary remedy is acquired, the higher their probabilities of survival. If left untreated pets can undergo, and can die. If you suppose your cat might need been uncovered to ethylene glycol, contact your vet instantly!
We have a free downloadable poster outlining the hazards of antifreeze you can entry here.
Keep updated with the remainder of our Keeping Cats Safe campaign
I’m the feline behaviour specialist at feline charity ‘International Cat Care’. We are about partaking, educating and empowering individuals all through the world to enhance the well being and welfare of cats by sharing recommendation, coaching and fervour.
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