Ethylene glycol is used as an automotive antifreeze. If it is left
uncovered or drained on the floor, dogs and cats may drink it because of
its sweet taste. Severe and often fatal poisoning results.
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Prompt treatment is essential because ethylene glycol may cause permanent
kidney damage.
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Hospitalization and intensive treatment are required to treat most
antifreeze poisonings. Severe kidney damage can occur rapidly.
Periodic blood tests over the course of the treatment not only reflect
your pet’s response to medical aid but also help direct the type and intensity
of the treatment. Follow-up laboratory tests are often necessary.
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Notify your veterinarian if any of the following occur:
Your pet seems weak or trembles or convulses.
Your pet loses its appetite.
Your pet vomits or has diarrhea.
Your pet seems depressed.
Your pet seems to urinate mush less frequently.
Your pet’s urine contains blood.
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Garbage and Contaminated
Water Intoxication .
General Information:
Dogs and cats are scavengers by nature and, if allowed, may eat decaying
or rotten materials or garbage or drink contaminated water. Aside
from the bacteria and toxins, such materials might also contain plastic,
glass, or other foreign matter that might obstruct or injure the digestive
tract. Food materials can develop dangerous levels of bacteria or
toxins if kept at temperatures of 45°-140° F for over 3 hours.
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Water puddles and cast off containers might contain harmful bacteria
or any of a variety of toxic materials ranging from antifreeze to pesticides.
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Common signs of garbage intoxication include vomiting, abdominal pain,
and diarrhea. With other materials, signs depend on the nature of
the ingested toxin. While most intoxications can be successfully
treated, death may occur in severe cases.
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Treatment depends on the type and dose of toxin, time since it was
eaten, and the degree of illness. Many animals require hospitalization
and some require intensive treatment. Despite the best of care, some
individuals may not survive.
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Notify your veterinarian if any of the following occur:
Your pet’s signs recur after an apparent recovery.
Your pet develops new signs.
Your pet develops muscle tremors, shaking, or seizures.
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Heat Stroke
General Information:
The combination of high temperature, high humidity, and poor ventilation
can be fatal to dogs and cats. Dogs and cats do not sweat as people
do. Thus, the cooling benefits of water evaporation from the skin
are not available to them. Panting and radiation of heat from the
skin surface are their main means of controlling body temperature.
If the air temperature and humidity are high and air circulation is reduced,
these protective mechanisms are inadequate. Body temperature can
then increase dramatically, resulting in collapse and severe shock.
Animals not treated promptly may die.
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Dogs with short "pushed in" noses, such as Pugs, Bulldogs, Pekingese,
and Boxers, are especially susceptible to heat stroke, since their restricted
breathing doesn’t allow enough air exchange for rapid heat loss.
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During hot, humid weather, provide your pet with adequate ventilation,
protection from the sun, and cool, fresh water. In addition, limit
your pet’s exercise during these periods. If your pet is nervous,
consult the doctor concerning the advisability of tranquilizers.
Do not leave your pet in a closed automobile. This is an invitation
to tragedy.
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Notify your veterinarian if any of the following occur:
Your pet seems weak.
Your pet has difficulty breathing.
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Snake Bite Poisoning
General Information:
Poisonous snakes cause serious illness or death in many animals each year.
The poison (venom) mainly affects the vascular and/or nervous system.
Most snake bites in the United States are due to rattlesnakes, water moccasins,
copperheads, and coral snakes.
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Signs of snake bites poisoning vary according to the size and species
of snake, amount of venom injected, size and general health of the victim,
and the location of the bite.
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Snake bites are extremely serious, and most treatment takes place in
the hospital. Along with specific treatment for venom, your pet will
also be treated for shock and infection.
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Emergency Field Treatment
1. Identify the type of snake, if possible. Do not risk being
bitten.
2. Keep your pet as quiet as possible with soothing talk and
petting. Excitement and exertion speed the distribution of poison.
Carry the animal to a place of safety.
3. If the bite is on a leg, immobilize the leg. If you
are more than 2 hours from the nearest veterinarian, apply a tourniquet
above the bite wound, between the wound and the body. It can be left
in place for up to 2 hours.
4. Immediately take the animal to the nearest veterinarian.
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Notify your veterinarian if any of the following occur:
Your pet is reluctant to eat or acts depressed.
Your pet’s bite wound becomes swollen, red or hot, or oozes pus or fluid.
