 It seems with all the publicity that it gets, people would be more cautious with Antifreeze.
But every year scores of dogs are poisoned with it. This article also contains
emergency phone numbers.
Antifreeze can be deadly to
pets!
Who:
The ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center (NAPCC), an operating division
of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) is the
only animal-oriented poison control center in North America. The NAPCC is a
unique, emergency hotline providing 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week telephone
assistance..
What:
Antifreeze has a sweet taste and can be attracting to pets. Ethylene glycol is
the most common form of antifreeze available. Unfortunately, very small amounts
can be lethal to pets. As little as one teaspoon of antifreeze can be deadly to
the average sized cat and less than four teaspoons can be dangerous to a
10-pound dog. Most cases of antifreeze poisoning occur around the pet's home
and are usually due to improper storage or disposal.
The following are some guidelines for pet owners to follow to avoid pet
exposures to antifreeze:
ASPCA Antifreeze Poisoning Prevention Tips
- Always clean up antifreeze spills immediately.
- Check your car regularly for leaks.
- Always store antifreeze containers in areas that are inaccessible to pets.
- Never allow your pets to have access to the area when you are draining
antifreeze from your car.
- Propylene glycol is a less toxic form of antifreeze and could be used
instead of ethylene glycol.
If you suspect your pet has ingested antifreeze, contact your veterinarian
immediately!
Contact: For consultation services:
ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center 1-888-4ANI-HELP
For online information: http://www.napcc.aspca.org.
To receive a free hotline information packet, email
jar@napcc.aspca.org |
