Cold Weather Precautions - Update

In the last issue I spoke about the dangers of antifreeze. Coincidentally not long after I sent the issue out I saw another article on the subject. You can read the whole thing at - http://www.northantsnew.co.uk/ref/news_et.asp?ID=15668

The reason I mention it is that there are specific references to body weight and volume consumed. I thought you might find this helpful. I've lifted the following section directly from the article -

"Tom Hedges, a vet at Johnston Veterinary Surgery in Northampton Road, Wellingborough, said: “Thirty minutes to 12 hours after an animal has consumed anti-freeze they will become wobbly and appear drunk.

“They will drink a lot and vomit. Twenty-four hours after drinking the substance they are likely to breathe heavily and become depressed and then kidney failure will kick in and they are likely to die.

“The animal’s body will try to break down the ethylene glycol found in the substance and this will cause crystals to form in the kidneys and cause kidney failure.

”In a bid to treat animals suspected of drinking the substance, vodka or pure alcohol is injected into them. The body will then work to break the alcohol down rather than the anti-freeze, because it is stronger.

Mr Hedges said: “The most important thing is to bring the animal to the vet straight away. “Do not wait and also note or bring along the exact name of the substance they are suspected of consuming.”

A lethal dose amounts to 200ml for a dog the size of a Labrador. Seventy per cent of all cases prove to be fatal."

Get that last bit - 70% of all cases prove to be fatal. This is for real folks. Don't take any chances. Make sure you don't have any antifreeze lying around, and be sure to wash up any spills really carefully.

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