dogboston

One of the most common and most dangerous poisons out there, antifreeze is a big concern in winter months for pet owners (although not just in the winter). It takes a very small amount of antifreeze to kill a dog, and even a spill on the driveway can be deadly. Do your dogs a favor and check your vehicles for leaks, and keep all antifreeze jugs, even the empty ones, in a secure location. Remember, antifreeze is a poison that dogs will willingly take due to its sweet taste and smell.

Prevention and First Aid
Without a doubt, preventing your dog from having access to antifreeze is by far the safest solution to antifreeze poisoning. Keep your antifreeze jugs on a high shelf in your garage where it can’t get knocked over, and immediately mop up any spills that happen when your refill your vehicle’s reservoir. It takes very little antifreeze to kill a pet. If you suspect your dog has ingested antifreeze, you must get him to a vet immediately.

Emergency First Aid
Immediate veterinary assistance is the only thing that will save your dog. Inducing vomiting and giving your dog activated charcoal will not cure your dog, but it will lessen the poison that is in his system. Save any of vomited material, and bring it with you to the vet.

Prevention
Switching to a propylene-glycol-based antifreeze, a safer, less-toxic alternative to ethylene glycol is one step that many pet owners take to protect their dogs from accidental antifreeze poisoning. Routine vehicle maintenance, and keeping an eye out for evidence of leaks (greenish pools underneath your car), and immediate clean-up of all spills are very important. Dogs that wander the neighborhood unsupervised are more prone to antifreeze poisoning, so keeping your dog under your supervision and leashed is also a step in preventing accidental poisoning, and not just from antifreeze.