All across America, men and women are bundling up for the chilly temperatures that winter brings. Unfortunately, pets can’t add extra coats and some warm socks to their outfit when they decide to go out in the cold. Instead, they must gear up in the fur that they are wearing and brace themselves against the weather. One of the biggest dangers for pets that will be outside for part of this winter is called antifreeze poisoning. Antifreeze is toxic for both dogs and cats. Because this chemical is typically used in the winter months, your animals might come into contact with it more readily. Even just a small amount of antifreeze can be lethal for a cat. As little as one teaspoon is all it takes to ravage a cat’s system and eventually cause a tragic death.

Dogs need to consumer a bit more of the antifreeze in order to cause medical problems, but not too much more. Most owners assume that their animals would never consume the antifreeze because it is not a food item, but the taste of the liquid is surprisingly sweet and attracts animals. The reason that antifreeze is so dangerous is because it contains ethylene glycol. This is a toxic compound that is found in windshield fluid, motor oil and brake fluid. As well, the antifreeze toxins are found in some paints and solvents, so you will want to be careful to buy products free of ethylene glycol when possible.

If you believe that your animal may have gotten into the antifreeze solvent, then you will want to look for signs that are similar to those that cats develop after alcohol toxicity. This will include incoordination with your animals and potential drooling, Vomiting can also occur. Sometimes cats may become increasingly thirsty or may have seizures as a result of consuming the dangerous liquid. After this time of abnormal behavior, most cats tend to return to normal for a short amount of time. Unfortunately, while your cat may feel better, the antifreeze is probably still damaging the feline’s kidneys. At this point, your cat will begin to experience acute kidney failure. This is detectable when your cat starts vomiting, develops seizures, lapses into a coma, or becomes noticeably depressed.

If your cat ingests antifreeze, immediate veterinary attention is mandatory. The veterinarian will need to administer Fomepizole within 8 hours of ingestion for dogs and 3 hours of ingestion for cats in order to counteract the effects of the antifreeze. As well, veterinarians may want to try ethanol as an antidote as well. If your cat or dog experiences kidney failure as a result of the antifreeze, it may be more difficult to help them recover. Sadly, many cats and even small dogs don’t survive the damage from consuming antifreeze. Because of this veterinarians highly suggest that you clean up any anti-freeze spills immediately when you are using the liquid in your cars this winter.

In addition to this important winter tip, keep in mind that it is essential that you keep your pets warm this winter so that they will not contract illness due to the cold. Also, make sure that your pets are will fed and are well watered during the colder months. By taking care of your animals and keeping them away from toxic and dangerous liquids like anti-freeze, chances are that you will be able to provide a safe environment for your animal to grow. If you do experience an emergency, and believe that your pet has ingested a dangerous liquid, then you need to talk to a veterinarian near you today. Use this directory to locate a trusted and recommended veterinarian near you so that you can be best prepared in case of an emergency.