Antifreeze, screen washes and de-icers!

With a few months of cold winter weather ahead some of us may have thought about antifreeze and de-icer for our cars. Along with screen washes, these products commonly contain a chemical called ‘ethylene glycol’.

Ethylene glycol is TOXIC to both dogs and cats if ingested, cats however are particularly susceptible to the toxic effects.

Despite the addition of bittering agents to products that contain this chemical, dogs and cats are not deterred!  Ingestion of even a small amount is toxic and requires urgent attention.

Initially the chemical can cause your pet to vomit followed by neurological signs such as weakness, wobbliness and even convulsions. The heart and lungs can then be affected but the most concerning affect is that on the kidneys. Kidney failure can occur and when it does the prognosis is very poor.

It is therefore really important to ensure bottles of antifreeze and screen wash are kept tightly sealed and out of reach from cats and dogs this Winter.