Antifreeze Poisoning in Dogs: Emergency Guide

Many antifreeze and coolant products contain ethylene glycol. It has a sweet taste, which attracts dogs, and a tiny amount is enough to poison a small dog. Once swallowed, the body converts it into toxic substances that damage the kidneys. Without prompt treatment, the damage can be irreversible, and death is common.

The sources are everywhere: a leaking car in the driveway, a puddle in a garage, an open container on a shelf, or runoff in the street. Some windshield washer fluids, brake fluids, and de-icers can also contain related chemicals, though less commonly.

Signs usually appear in stages. Early signs can begin within 30 minutes to a few hours, and look like alcohol intoxication. Later signs, from kidney damage, appear after a day or more.

• Stumbling, wobbling, and acting drunk.
• Vomiting, drooling, and excessive thirst or urination.
• Lethargy, weakness, and depression.
• Seizures or tremors.
• Later: reduced or no urine, bad breath, mouth ulcers, and collapse.

Note: A dog may seem to recover after the first signs, before kidney failure sets in. Do not wait. Treat any suspected exposure as an emergency.

Time is critical. Treatment works best if started within a few hours of ingestion.

1. Remove your dog from the source, and prevent more exposure.
2. Note what you know: the product, the amount, and when it happened. Take the container or label.
3. Call your veterinarian or an emergency clinic immediately. In the US, the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center is 888-426-4435 and the Pet Poison Helpline is 855-764-7661; a fee may apply.
4. Follow their instructions, which usually involve going to the clinic straight away.
5. Do not try to make your dog vomit unless a vet tells you to.

Treatment depends on timing. Early on, a vet may induce vomiting and give an antidote, such as fomepizole or, in some cases, ethanol, to block the toxic effects. Supportive care, including intravenous fluids, may also be needed. Later, once kidney damage has occurred, treatment is more difficult, and may involve dialysis, which is not widely available.

The faster your dog is treated, the better the chances of recovery. Even if you are not sure, call. A veterinarian can advise whether to bring your dog in.

Most poisonings are preventable. Make your home and garage safe, and keep an eye out in your neighborhood.

• Store antifreeze and other chemicals in sealed, labeled containers, on high shelves or in locked cabinets.
• Clean up spills immediately, and rinse the area with water.
• Check your vehicle for leaks, and fix them promptly.
• Choose antifreeze made with propylene glycol, which is less toxic, though not completely safe.
• Dispose of old antifreeze responsibly.
• Keep your dog away from driveways, garages, and parking lots, and do not let them drink from puddles.

Some antifreeze brands contain a bittering agent to discourage drinking. These can help, but they are not foolproof, and some dogs drink them anyway. Do not rely on them. Treat all antifreeze as dangerous, and prevent access.

Teach your dog a solid leave-it, and avoid walking in places where puddles of unknown liquid are common. Be vigilant on winter walks, when leaks from parked cars are more common.

Antifreeze is the best-known source, but other products can also contain ethylene glycol, or related chemicals.

• Engine coolant and radiator fluid.
• Some brake fluids and hydraulic fluids.
• Certain windshield de-icers and washer fluids.
• Some older snow globes and decorative liquids.
• Some paints, solvents, and photographic chemicals.
• Puddles under vehicles in driveways and parking lots.

A few habits make your home much safer. Put drip trays under vehicles you suspect of leaking, and check the ground each morning. Keep containers sealed and on high shelves, with child-proof or pet-proof caps. Clean spills with kitty litter or an absorbent, and dispose of the material safely. Do not pour antifreeze down drains or onto the ground. Let neighbors know about the risk, because a leak in the street affects every dog.

The most dangerous myth is that a dog who seems well must be fine. In the first hours, the toxin can cause signs that look like mild intoxication, followed by a period when your dog seems to recover. During that time, the body is converting ethylene glycol into substances that damage the kidneys. By the time kidney failure is visible, treatment is far less likely to succeed. If you saw your dog near a spill, or found them licking a puddle, call your vet immediately, even if they appear normal.