Please be careful with antifreeze aroung your dogs...
@badpenny (741)
Lancaster, Texas
June 16, 2007 8:28pm CST
My husband's dog died this week. He was a gentle giant, not the typical pitbull one would imagine, but sweet and loving and full of life. Last Monday he lost interest in his food, a cause for alarm because he loved to eat more than anything. So we took him to the vet, who started a number of tests and sent us home with him. On Wednesday, he turned yellow. We took him back to the vet, who informed us that either his kidneys or his liver were shutting down. A few more tests, and it was conirmed he was in massive kidney failure. There was nothing we could do for him, but to put him down so he would not suffer anymore. Today, the blood tests came back, and the vet informs us that he had been the victim of antifreeze poisoning. Antifreeze smells so good to dogs, they will just lap it up, and it is deadly. Only a few drops will kill a 100 pound dog, like our HawgDawg. so when you cahnge your antifreeze to summerize your car, make sure none of it is left on the ground to be drunk by someone's beloved pet. That dog or cat could be yours.
5 people like this
10 responses
@myfanwy65 (1030)
• United States
17 Jun 07
I've heard of people intentionally leaving antifreeze out to poison animals. I think it's so cruel. But, some people don't care.
I'm so sorry you lost your dog.
@maryannemax (12156)
• Sweden
17 Jun 07
i hope more and more people will be informed through this discussion. it will help them save a pet's or their kids' lives. i for one did know about this fact until now. so, i'll keep my pets away from it from now on... anne
@pendragon (3348)
• United States
17 Jun 07
I'm incredibly sorry for your loss.I lost my dog of 9 yrs in April.I have seen a anti-freeze at walmart that is pet-safe, I can't recall the name of it ,but i think it had the word green in it.If walmart sells it, certainly better places may as well.
@ozangel82 (753)
• Australia
18 Jun 07
That is so awful! I am so sorry for your loss, I know how sad it can be to lose a beloved pet, especially in a way that could have possibly been prevented. Thanks for warning everybody, hopefully less people will have to go through this now due to your warning.
@breepeace (3014)
• Canada
17 Jun 07
I'm so sorry about your loss! :(
I had a scare with my cat about a month ago with antifreeze, and I was terrified.
One very important thing I found that horrible weekend, that I wanted to share with all pet owners is that ethylene glycol, the deadly poison in antifreeze that kills pets has a much safer substitute.
When changing the fluids in your vehicle, substitute propylene glycol antifreeze instead. When metabolized, Propylene glycol is metabolized into lactic acid, which occurs naturally as muscles are exercised, while ethylene glycol is metabolized into oxalic acid, which is toxic. It is often used in moisturizers, lubricants, as a solvent for food colors and flavourings and as a main ingredient in many cosmetic products, including baby wipes, bubble baths, deodorants, shampoos, and hair dyes.
It may be a little more expensive, but is well worth it as a courtesy to the lives of your own pets and animals in your neighbourhood.
@KissThis (3003)
• United States
17 Jun 07
Badpenny, I am deeply sorry for the loss of your pet. i wish that there was something that I could do to help ease your pain. This is an excellent message to share with everyone. Years ago I read an article that warned about pets drinking antifreeze because of its sweet smell and taste. I don't allow anti freeze to be changed at our home because of this. We have four beautiful family members that i would hate to see anything happen to.
1 person likes this
@maryannemax (12156)
• Sweden
17 Jun 07
it makes me feel sad whenever i hear pets getting sick or dying. i love pets. and when i hear sad stories about them, i feel so bad.
putting him to sleep is the best option in order not to see him suffer. but it's too difficult to accept, too. but i hope you have coped up with the loss already thinking that he did not suffer much at all.
so, thank you for the story and the information you had shared with us... anne
@Woodpigeon (3710)
• Ireland
17 Jun 07
I am so sorry for the loss of your beloved dog. I had heard tha years ago but had forgotten all about it. I had also heard it tastes sweet, which is another thing that eggs them on. Again, I am very sorry.
