Understanding Antifreeze Poisoning In Cats

Ethylene glycol is the active ingredient in most brands of antifreeze, but it's highly toxic to cats, and ingestion can be fatal if not treated promptly. Even if you keep your antifreeze out of your cat's reach, they can still be exposed to it if a neighbour spills a little while filling their coolant tank or if any cars in your neighbourhood have a leaking coolant tank. It is thought that cats find antifreeze to have an appealing, sweet taste, so it's a common form of poisoning during the winter months. Here's what you need to know about antifreeze poisoning in cats:

Symptoms

Common symptoms of antifreeze poisoning within the first few hours after ingestion include:

• Vomiting
• Head shaking
• Increased thirst
• Twitching
• Loss of coordination and balance

Symptoms that tend to develop after a few hours include:

• Decreased urination
• Loss of appetite
• Lethargy
• Sores in and around the mouth
• Seizures

Diagnosis

The key to successful treatment of antifreeze poisoning is quick diagnosis. You can help your vet diagnose your cat quickly by collecting a sample of their vomit for your vet to analyse for toxic substances. Your vet will also take details of your cat's symptoms and take a blood and urine sample. Blood tests can show if your cat has raised levels of metabolites, which are substances produced by the body when it breaks down a toxin. They can also be a good indicator of the condition of your cat's liver and kidneys, which can quickly fail when antifreeze has been ingested. Urine tests can determine if your cat is dehydrated and if their kidneys are under strain. Your vet may also carry out an ultrasound scan on your cat to see if their liver and kidneys are swollen, which they often are in cases of antifreeze poisoning.

Treatment

The aim of treatment is to encourage your cat's body to excrete the poison as quickly as possible. Your cat will normally need to stay at the veterinary clinic for close observation while undergoing treatment. Treatment may include:

• Intravenous Fluids - Administering large amounts of intravenous fluids will prevent dehydration and increase the amount of urine your cat produces. This can flush the antifreeze out of your cat's body and support their kidneys.
• Intravenous Bicarbonate - The pH level of your cat's body can become too low when they've ingested poison. This condition, known as metabolic acidosis, allows too much acid to build up in the body and puts your cat's kidneys under strain because they cannot remove the acid as quickly as it builds up. If left untreated, metabolic acidosis can cause your cat to go into shock and pass away. Intravenous bicarbonate can reduce the acidity of your cat's blood and take pressure off the kidneys.
• Peritoneal Dialysis - This is a quick way of removing poison from your cat's body and involves inserting a small catheter into your cat's abdomen. Fluid is passed through the catheter into the abdomen and is then allowed to flow back out of the catheter. This can boost your cat's electrolyte levels and remove toxic waste.
• Kidney Transplantation - If your cat experiences kidney failure, which can occur if they are not treated promptly or ingest large volumes of antifreeze, they will require a transplant. Your vet will arrange for your cat to have dialysis until a kidney becomes available.

You can minimise the risk of your cat being poisoned by antifreeze by checking your neighbourhood regularly for antifreeze spills. Antifreeze is red or green and should be dispersed with a bucket of water as soon as you notice it. If you suspect your cat has ingested antifreeze, take them to a veterinary clinic like Fernlands Veterinary Practice immediately.