Ethylene Glycol is the official name for antifreeze and it is highly toxic to cats. Antifreeze can be found in car radiators and many screen washes. It is sometimes added to ponds and fountains during the winter months.
Ethylene Glycol has a sweet taste, which is why cats become attracted to it. They may drink from a puddle or pond it has been added to, or walk in some which had been spilt or leaked from a car and later lick their paws.
It is rapidly absorbed into the body after ingestion, and can be fatal. Symptoms of antifreeze toxicity vary in severity and depends on the time since exposure. Some symptoms you may see include:
Ways to protect your cat from antifreeze toxicity include avoiding using products containing Ethylene Glycol. If using these products then careful storage, cleaning up any spillages and not to using in garden ponds or fountains are all important.
If you know or suspect that your cat has ingested antifreeze then you must seek veterinary help immediately as this can be fatal. Don’t hesitate to call the Small Animal department on 01608 730501 if you want further advice.
Written by Katy Allen RVN
Equine vet Sally loves driving her pony Ivor and received an excellent present from Jayne at the Blue Cross this morning - personalised overalls!
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HNVG can help you stay one step ahead of your pet’s flea, tick & worm treatment with VetPost. Our home delivery service offers you an affordable, convenient & reliable way to ensure your pet is protected against the right parasites with the right product - PRESCRIPTION FREE!
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You may have seen yesterdays post about the recent Metaldehyde (Slug Bait) poisonings we have recently seen in the Practice. We would like to offer some alternative natural remedies to deter Slugs and Snails, that wont harm your pets or the surrounding wildlife.
1. BEER TRAP: Slugs apparently love beer! Sink a tub in ground and fill with beer, ensuring the rim is just above soil level. The beer will do the rest of the work for you.
2. EGG SHELLS: can be broken down into tiny pieces. Slugs hate the texture and will not cross the eggy barrier.
3. COPPER: Slugs won't cross Copper, so Copper tape acts as a barrier. You can use a ring of it around an individual plant, however it works best to protect plants in pots.
4. RECYCLED WOOL PELLETS: Waste wool is recycled into pellets that can be used to form a barrier around plants. They swell up and reveal nasty little fibres that are irritant to slugs. Over a period of time the pellets degrade and act as a plant food.
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#poisonprevention #poisonawarenessmonth #organicslugdeterrents #dogs
