What is alcohol toxicity in pets? 

Alcohol toxicity is a common pet poisoning that can occur from ingestion, skin absorption, or inhalation of alcohol or alcohol-containing products. Dogs and cats of any sex or age are at risk however kittens and puppies have an increased risk because of their small size and undeveloped organ systems. Alcohol poisoning primarily affects a pet’s gastrointestinal (GI) system, respiratory system, central nervous system, and heart. Other organ systems including the liver and kidneys also may be affected. Pets who have severe poisoning are at risk for death. The most common sources of pet alcohol poisoning include: 

• Ethanol — Common sources of ethanol include alcoholic drinks, desserts flavored with alcohol, fermented fruits, unbaked yeast dough, some liquid medications, and mouth washes. 
• Methanol — The most common sources of methanol include windshield fluids, some gasoline additives, and some paint solvents. 
• Isopropanol — This alcohol has twice the potency of ethanol or methanol. Common sources include 70 percent rubbing alcohol, hand sanitizer, glass cleaners, perfumes or colognes, detergents, antifreeze, and some grooming products or flea sprays. 

Alcohol toxicity signs in pets

Signs of alcohol toxicity vary in severity and are dependent on the type of alcohol ingested, the amount, and the pet’s size. It may take some time for signs of toxicity to appear depending on whether a pet has eaten recently or not. Alcohol toxicity signs may include:

• Staggering 
• Lack of coordination
• Excitement
• Excess drooling
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Increased thirst and frequency of urination 
• Depression
• Lethargy
• Difficulty breathing
• Low body temperature
• Abnormal heart rhythm
• Seizures
• Coma 

Alcohol toxicity diagnosis and treatment in pets

You must bring your pet in for immediate veterinary care if you observe them ingesting or being exposed to alcohol because some pets will not show immediate signs of poisoning. An alcohol toxicity diagnosis is based on a pet’s history of ingestion or contact with alcohol and clinical signs. Your veterinarian may induce your pet to vomit if the ingestion has occurred recently, but you should never induce vomiting unless directed to do so by a veterinarian. Alcohol can lead to dehydration, electrolyte abnormalities, liver and kidney problems, and low blood sugar. Your veterinarian may recommend blood work to monitor your pet’s overall organ health. Poisoned pets likely will require an extended hospital stay for emergency care, treatment, and continued observation which may include: 

• Heart rate and blood pressure monitoring
• Body temperature monitoring and regulation with specialized warming pads
• Oxygen therapy
• Intravenous (IV) fluids to prevent dehydration and electrolyte imbalances
• IV dextrose for low blood sugar
• Liver-protecting medications
• Anti-nausea medication
• Gastroprotectant medication
• Anti-seizure medication

Financial planning for treatment of alcohol toxicity in pets

Pets being treated for severe alcohol toxicity often require an extended hospital stay and several checkups which can result in a large veterinary bill. Pet health insurance like Trupanion will ensure you can cover the costs of your pet’s emergency care for an accidental poisoning. Trupanion can pay your veterinary clinic directly which eliminates the need to submit paperwork and wait for reimbursements. Other available payment options include:

• Care Credit
• Scratch Pay
• Pet health savings accounts
• Short-term loans

Alcohol toxicity prevention in pets

Keeping any alcoholic beverages or products containing alcohol out of your pet’s reach is the best way to prevent them from being accidentally poisoned. Never feed your pet any desserts or drinks that contain alcohol because even a small amount can be dangerous. Other prevention tips include:

• Keeping your pet out of the kitchen when handling raw yeast dough
• Placing a pet-proof lid on all garbage cans to prevent contact or ingestion of alcohol-containing products 
• Storing all household products with alcohol in a pet-proof location
• Quickly cleaning up any spilled alcoholic drinks or products
• Consulting with your veterinarian before spraying any alcohol-based grooming or flea products on your pet 

If you suspect your pet has ingested alcohol or if they are showing alcohol toxicity signs immediately bring them to Animal Emergency Care if it is after hours, or call your family veterinarian. #AECprevents

Sources:

https://www.petpoisonhelpline.com/poison/alcohol

https://veterinarypartner.vin.com/default.aspx?pid=19239&id=4952310

https://www.merckvetmanual.com/toxicology/household-hazards/alcohols

The post Pet Poison Prevention: Understanding Alcohol Toxicity in Pets appeared first on Animal Emergency Care (AEC) Bellingham, WA.

Why is antifreeze dangerous to pets? 

The active ingredient in antifreeze, ethylene glycol, is a sweet-tasting, odorless liquid that is present in many automotive products including hydraulic brake and windshield de-icing fluids. Ethylene glycol is also in common household products including:

• Ball point pens and ink 
• Certain types of snow globes
• Printer cartridges and stamp ink pads
• Paint and industrial paint solvents
• Some types of eye masks
• Portable basketball hoop posts and bases

Ethylene glycol poisoning is a common pet toxicity because pets find the sweet fluid difficult to resist. Common pet poisoning culprits include leaked radiator fluid ingestion as well as drinking from a toilet in a home with winterized pipes. Additionally, cats are at risk for poisoning if any part of their skin contacts ethylene glycol which is rapidly absorbed into their gastrointestinal (GI) system and can affect the kidney, brain, and liver. 

Antifreeze poisoning signs in pets 

Small amounts of ethylene glycol are dangerous to pets. Only one teaspoon can be lethal to cats, and one to two tablespoons can be lethal to dogs. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you observe your pet ingesting antifreeze or suspect they may have licked some off the ground. Ethylene glycol is rapidly absorbed in the GI tract and mostly metabolized in the kidneys. Immediate symptoms resemble a human who drank too much alcohol, although your pet may not show obvious kidney disease signs for several days. Early poisoning signs include:

• Nausea and vomiting 
• Diarrhea
• Wobbly or uncoordinated movement
• Disorientation
• Increased heart rate
• Weakness
• Tremors
• Fainting 
• Low body temperature

After ingestion, some clinical signs may improve in 12 to 24 hours and give a false sense of security that your pet is no longer sick. However, pets can still become dehydrated and have an increased heart or respiration rate during this break in obvious symptoms. More serious clinical signs may occur 24 to 72 hours after ingestion as the toxin is absorbed and processed through a pet’s kidneys. These include:

• Increased thirst and urination
• Excess salivation
• Dehydration
• Mouth ulcers or sores
• Seizures
• Anorexia
• Coma

Antifreeze poisoning diagnosis and treatment in pets 

Antifreeze poisoning in pets is a serious medical condition that requires aggressive veterinary care, and death may occur without treatment. Diagnosing antifreeze poisoning can be difficult, especially if a pet owner did not observe the poisoning. Your veterinarian will collect a detailed history and perform a thorough physical exam. A blood, urine or stool test may also be recommended to check for ethylene glycol.

Treatment options depend on the time that has passed since your pet’s poisoning. If your pet is brought to the veterinary hospital less than two hours after ethylene glycol ingestion, your veterinarian may induce vomiting or flush out the stomach to remove any toxin the kidneys have not yet metabolized. During treatment, your pet will receive intravenous (IV) fluid therapy to rehydrate them, and flush any poison from their kidneys. Additional treatments may include:

• Heart monitoring with an electrocardiogram (EKG)
• Respiratory observation and monitoring
• Regular temperature monitoring 
• Medication to inactivate the ethylene glycol
• Medication to treat tremors or seizures 
• Medications to protect the GI system
• Blood and urine tests to evaluate kidney and liver function

Payment options for antifreeze poisoning treatment in pets 

Antifreeze poisoning may require your pet to be hospitalized for several days, as well as numerous progress checks. Such long-term veterinary care can be costly but, fortunately,  multiple payment options are available to ensure you can cover the cost of your pet’s emergency care for an accidental poisoning. Care Credit and Scratch Pay allow payments to be spread out over longer periods with delayed interest rates in some cases. Additionally, pet health insurance providers, such as Trupanian, have policies that will pay your veterinary clinic directly which eliminates the need to submit paperwork and wait for reimbursements.

Antifreeze poisoning prevention for pets

When possible, use antifreeze products that contain the safer alternative—propylene glycol. Propylene glycol is less dangerous to pets than ethylene glycol, although large amounts can still cause problems. Other prevention safeguards include:

• Keeping containers tightly closed and out of your pet’s reach
• Cleaning up spills immediately 
• Regularly checking vehicle radiators for leaks 
• Always supervising pets around vehicles or chemicals

Call your family veterinarian right away if you suspect your pet has been exposed to antifreeze or contact our Animal Emergency Care office and bring in your pet for immediate treatment. #AECprevents

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