Antifreeze Poisoning

The Humane society of the United States estimates that tens of thousands of companion animals and wildlife fall prey to ethylene glycol (EG) poisonings and death every year and claim it to be one of the most dangerous household hazards in America.

The American Association of Poison Control Centers reported 2,372 accidental poisonings related to Ethylene Glycol (EG) antifreeze in 1987. 765 of these were children under six years of age. In 2003, The Consumer Product Safety Commission reported that nearly 1,400 children were admitted to emergency rooms due to antifreeze poisoning.

Yearly around 10,000 dogs, cats and children fall victim to accidental poisoning by automobile antifreeze. It doesn't take much either. A few licks or a few ounces is all that has to be consumed to be fatal to a dog, cat or kid.

Antifreeze poisoning occurs in two phases. In the first phase, the animal typically appears groggy, lethargic, uncoordinated and disorientated. Symptoms usually appear about 30 minutes to one hour after ingestion and can last for several hours.

The second phase, which can last up to three days, is characterized by symptoms such as vomiting, oral and gastric ulcers, kidney failure, coma and death.

Veterinarians say that antifreeze is the number one cause of poisoning in pets; within a few hours of ingestion, byproducts of ethylene glycol produce crystals that cause severe and life-threatening liver and kidney damage as the body tries to remove them.

Cats are particularly sensitive, with as little as one teaspoon being fatal, and it barley takes an ounce to kill a 15 pound dog.

If you suspect your animal may have ingested antifreeze get your pet to an emergency veterinary facility immediately - Minutes can make a difference between life or and excruciating death!

The real tragedy is that this lethal substance can inexpensively and easily be made harmless at the time of manufacturing by adding a bittering agent called Denatonium Benzoate. Denatonium benzoate, is the worlds most bitter substance and is a harmless compound that, even in extremely small quantities, makes ingestion impossible. It is harmless to people, animals, plants and the environment. And at the addition of 30 parts per million it will make antifreeze totally unpalatable. We're not talking big bucks here either, one (1) teaspoon per 50 gallons of antifreeze at a cost of pennies per gallon - It comes to about 3 or 4 cents!

Way back in May of 2005 U.S. Senator George Allen and U.S. Rep. Gary Ackerman introduced legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, respectively, requiring antifreeze to contain a bittering agent to render the substance unpalatable to pets and children. We wonder why, legislators and manufacturers still haven't pushed this one through?

Here's the good news, there's something we can all do to help right away. The first step is to begin by taking a look under your hood. What color is the liquid in the plastic coolant reservoir... Is it green? Is it red? If so your car's cooling system is more than likely filled with antifreeze containing the lethal chemical Ethylene Glycol. Technically at any moment, all it would take would be a minor traffic accident or a leaky hose, gasket, radiator or water pump to release a toxic spill into the environment or even just a drip onto your driveway that has an inviting aroma, a sweet flavor that will entice animals and children to taste or drink the highly poisonous substance. Most of which do not recover from its deadly effects.

HERE'S WHAT YOU CAN DO: replace the poison in your car with an essentially non-toxic product that works just as well and lasts much longer. Look for engine coolant products formulated with propylene glycol (PG). As compared to ethylene glycol (EG), propylene glycol (EG) is less toxic and safer for children, pets, and wildlife in the environment. Propylene glycol is used at specified levels in the formulation of many consumer products including cosmetics, pet food, and certain over-the-counter medications.

The non-toxic version works just as well in your car too. A recent General Motors service bulletin states, "It is our conclusion that propylene glycol engine coolants will perform adequately under most vehicle operating conditions" and that "... propylene glycol engine coolant may be used in GM vehicles and will not affect the warranty coverage."

We found the safer (containing propylene glycol) antifreeze coolant available at most automotive stores such as: Kragen, ACE, Schucks, Checker auto parts and NAPA.

Take Immediate Action

# 1. CALL - If you suspect antifreeze poisoning call an emergency veterinary clinic, your veterinarian or if you can't reach someone immediately call the ASPCA 24 hour poison hot line at (888) 426-4435. The animal must be treated within 3-4 hours of ingestion, before irreversible kidney damage is done. # 2. INDUCE VOMITING - PURGE THE POISON. In cases of antifreeze poisoning, getting your pet to vomit is the most important thing that you can do. To induce vomiting, give hydrogen peroxide at 1 teaspoon per 10 lbs of body weight. If your pet doesn't vomit in 10 minutes, repeat again. NEVER do more than 2 treatments of peroxide. You can also try salt: dilute 1 teaspoon of salt in a tablespoon of water per every 10lbs of body weight. NOTE: DO NOT INDUCE VOMITING if something caustic has been consumed (such as drain cleaner or bleach). # 3. RACE TO VET - DELAY ABSORPTION. Activated charcoal is readily available at most pharmacies. It delays absorption of any toxin by binding to the toxic compound in the stomach. The easiest way is to give charcoal is in capsule form.

The veterinarian will give your dog 4-methylpyrazole or your cat ethanol to keep the antifreeze from breaking down into toxins.

Supportive Remedies

After professional veterinary care many holistic veterinarians recommend enzyme supplements, probiotics, and essential fatty acids, as well as taurine, which the kidneys contain and which plays an important role in your pet's kidney health.

Herbal formulas and nutritional supplements may help maximize kidney function, including those containing diuretics like carrot, dandelion, and sesame seed; antioxidants like blueberries and lactoferrin; anti-inflammatories like turmeric, wheat grass, and barley grass; desiccated sea plankton with electrolytes to help kidneys function better; and chlorella which could speed healing of damaged kidney tissue. Homeopathic remedies to consider: If used early enough, Lycopodium 200c may help to limit the damage to the liver and the kidneys. If after giving Lycopodium there is kidney damage, think about Apocynum 200c.

For guidance and complete dosing instructions, we recommend using "Pet Remedy Charts" for the species specific modalities.

First Aid Remedies for Pets

This is an aid to the selection of helpful homeopathic and herbal remedies for dogs, cats, horses and birds. It is a compendium for use with our "Pet Remedy Charts". The charts contain complete instructions for dosing and administering these remedies. Click here to learn more about using the charts and alternative medicines for pets.

Abscesses 

Homeopathic Remedies  

Hepar Sulfuris 6c, 2 to 4 times a day. This remedy will usually bring an abscess to a head and drain it in two to four days.   

After the discharging pus has drained:

Silica 30c, once daily for 4 or 5 days will speed up cleaning and healing. With the use of Silica it is common to find a foreign body (foxtail, splinter, etc.) come to the surface which was responsible for the abscess. Silica should also be considered if the abscess becomes chronic.

Pyrogenium 30c, If the abscess is accompanied by a septic fever.

Note: Do not try to treat ear or deep internal abscesses at home.

Birthing (Difficulties)

Homeopathic Remedy 

Caulophyllum (Blue Cohosh) 30c, helps all stages of the birth process. It is a female remedy and a tonic for the womb. It can be used for difficult labor, when the animal is exhausted and anxious. 

Bleeding 

Homeopathic Remedies 

Ferrum Phosphoricum 30c or 200c, every 15 minutes until bleeding has stopped. Or, Ferrum Phos. could be used externally by crushing the remedy into a powder and then sprinkling the powder directly on the wound.

Hamamelis 30c, for open, painful wounds, with weakness from loss of blood. 

Ferrum Phos. 6x or Arnica 30c, could be used for internal bleeding.

Phosphorous 200c, To prevent bleeding before and after dental surgeries. Give 1 dose before and 1 dose after the procedure.

Chinese Medicine for Bleeding

Yunnan Paiyao is a Chinese herbal patent formula that is excellent for stopping bleeding. It was used extensively during the Viet Nam war. It will stop bleeding internally and externally.

This remedy reduces the swelling, bleeding and pain from injuries, wounds and surgery. It is also used in first aid for gunshot wounds. It reduces the pain, swelling and discoloration in bruises very quickly! 

Yunnan Paiyao, can stop hemorrhage and normalize blood flow. You can pour the the capsulated powder directly on to open wounds to aid in cleaning up infection and stop excess bleeding.

Common Uses in Veterinary Medicine: It can be given internally in preparation for surgery. It significantly reduces bleeding during surgical procedures. A dosage example would be to give the remedy for 2 or 3 days before the surgery, then again 3 hours before the procedure takes place.

Powder from a capsule can be used in topical application to stop bleeding toenails during grooming.

It can be used internally for birds who are prone to bleeding blood feathers during the re-growth period.

It is commonly used to aid in the granulation of wounds such as, self-induced granulomatous lesions (the formation of a nodule as a result of inflammation from excessive licking or chewing). For this purpose it is mixed with aloe vera gel for topical treatment.

Collapse

Symptoms: the animal is cold and barely conscious, hardly breathing, gasping weakly, unable to hold its head up.

Homeopathic Remedy

Carbo vegetabilis 30c or 200c, every 30 minutes until improvement then discontinue dosing. If the symptoms return repeat dosing. Obtain immediate veterinary help. 

Dehydration

Symptoms: Loss of bodily fluids, from diarrhea, vomiting, bleeding, excessive lactation (from feeding a large litter), etc. 

Homeopathic Remedy

Cinchona, Peruvian Bark Rubiaceae (China)

China 30c, Dose frequently until improved. China (pronounced KEE-NA), helps overcome the effects of dehydration.

Edema

Symptoms: Fluid/water retention. Changes in the water retaining properties of the tissues themselves that cause an abnormal accumulation of fluid beneath the skin, or in one or more of the body cavities (lungs, abdomen, etc.)

Homeopathic Remedy

APIS MELIFICA 6x, can be given every 2 hours until the animal improves, then discontinue dosing. Only if the symptoms return should you dose again.

Eye Trauma

Condition: 

A blow to the eye.

Homeopathic Remedies

Symphytum 30c, every hour, until improvement is seen, then stop dosing. Resume dosing only if symptoms return.

Hamamelis 6x, every 2 hours, until symptoms improve, then stop dosing. This remedy will hasten absorption of blood inside the eye.

Heat Stroke

Symptoms: 

Skin flushed and hot, strong rapid pulse, heavy labored breathing, pupils fixed and dilated. Keep the remedies below in mind for dogs, cats, horses or birds that have been left in hot cars/trailers/cages or any animal that has been stranded in the sun or who is suffering from heat exhaustion.

Homeopathic Remedy 

Belladonna 30c, can be given every 15 minutes for up to 3 doses if needed. As soon as you see signs improvement stop dosing. Only if the animal's symptoms return, resume dosing again.

Flower Essences for Pets 

Rescue Remedy 

How to prepare Rescue Remedy for pets: Get a 30ml bottle with a dropper in the lid (try your health food store or local pharmacy), and then add 4 drops of Rescue Remedy to the bottle. Then fill the bottle with spring water. 

Emergency First Aid Dose: give the animal four drops from the dilution bottle at a time. This can be repeated as often as every few minutes until you can obtain veterinary help or the crisis passes.

Homeopathic Remedies for Animals

Calcarea Phosphoricia 6x, 3 times a day for 2 weeks will

stimulate the formation of new blood cells. 

Natrumn Muriaticum 6x, 3 times a day for 3 weeks if the animal is depressed with low

energy. 

Ferrum Phosphoricum 3x, increases hemoglobin.

Pancreatitis

Symptoms:  

Pain in the abdomen which may cause the animal to "hunch" up, abdominal distention, lack of appetite, yellow, greasy stools, diarrhea, vomiting, depression, fever, and dehydration. In severe cases, symptoms may also include irregular heartbeat, sepsis (infection) and difficulty breathing.

It will be obvious that the animal is very ill and in need of treatment. See a veterinarian right away. 

Homeopathic Remedies

Iris Versicolor 3x, every 3 hours, during the attack. As soon as the animal improves discontinue dosing. Repeat dosing only if the symptoms return.

Puncture Wounds

Condition:  

For pain from a puncture wound such as from a fish hook, nail, sharp wire or animal bite.

Homeopathic Remedies

Ledum 30c, 4 times a day. Stop dosing as soon as the animal improves. Ledum may also help prevent Tetanus, infection.

Vaccinosis (Bad Reaction to Vaccines)

Condition:

Ill health in dog's, cat's or horses following a vaccination.

Homeopathic Remedy

Thuja 30c, every 12 hours for 3 doses.

Warfarin Poisoning (Rat Poison)

  

Symptoms:

This type of poison can cause dangerous internal bleeding. If you dog/cat has eaten a bated rat/mouse or rat poison see your veterinarian immediately to avoid fatal internal bleeding.

Homeopathic Remedies 

The following pet remedies have a great affinity for stopping hemorrhage:

Millefolium 3X, is an invaluable remedy for various types of internal hemorrhage, especially if the blood is bright red. Dose frequently, as needed. Stop dosing when the animal improves. Repeat dosing if symptoms return.  

Trillium 3X or Crotalus Horridus 6X, especially if the blood is watery and dark. Dose frequently, as needed. Stop dosing when the animal improves. Only repeat dosing if the symptoms return.

Important Note: Any of the conditions listed above has the potential to be a life threatening situation. Always see a veterinarian immediately if your pet has been injured or becomes ill.

To learn more about homeopathic treatments and natural healing strategies for pets, be sure to visit our Helpful Homeopathic Remedy List on the web.

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