Antifreeze Poisoning in Cats

The component in antifreeze that causes cats to become unwell is the ethylene glycol. Ethylene glycol is a sweet tasting and odourless liquid that many animals and sometimes children can be drawn to consuming. Studies show that while cats may not experience the same sweet taste as we humans do from the substance, they will still voluntarily drink it which can quickly become lethal.

It’s important that all sources of the substance are kept well out of reach of any curious kittens. Antifreeze is a liquid that we add to car engines, especially during the winter months to lower the freezing temperature of water and keep cars running smoothly. In theory, this should be safely controlled and out of the way but common sources of poisonings are leakages, the container being left somewhere accessible to your cat, and spillages when adding more to the engine.

A single teaspoon of antifreeze can be a lethal dose and it takes much less to cause an issue. The smaller your feline friend is, the less it will take to have a nasty effect on them. Antifreeze poisoning can progress quickly so if you suspect your cat may have come into contact with it, take them to the vet immediately.

Antifreeze poisoning in cats can cause liver failure which ultimately can be fatal for many moggies if left untreated. Understanding what symptoms you’re looking for when you think your cat has come into contact with the substance can be the difference between life and death. After drinking antifreeze, it can take between 30 minutes to 8 hours for symptoms to start to show. After a day or two is when the risk of going into liver failure occurs however even with early and prompt veterinary treatment, a toxic dose of the substance still has a low rate of survival.

Signs of antifreeze poisoning in cats include:

Many owners can be lured into thinking their beloved pet is recovering after the initial symptoms. They can appear uncoordinated and clumsy at first with quite severe signs but as the poisoning develops, these can reduce. Once they’ve experienced the initial symptoms, they may display less clear signs like an elevated heart rate, difficulty breathing and a high temperature. Beyond this stage, it develops into irreversible kidney failure which can quickly become fatal.

Even if their symptoms seem to get better, it’s still vitally important to seek veterinary advice if you suspect your cat has come into contact and may have ingested antifreeze.

Most vet practices will have test kits specifically designed to detect traces of ethylene glycol in the blood. These tests are great for quick access but can at times display false readings, so your vet will likely take a blood sample to send to a lab so they can get an exact reading on the amount of ethylene glycol concentrated in their blood. The sooner your vet can test for antifreeze poisoning, the better. The levels will remain high in their blood for around six hours but after this, they will gradually drop.

Beyond this point, you may get a lower reading of ethylene glycol in the blood, however the damage may already be done so seek medical attention as soon as you notice any symptoms or suspect antifreeze has been ingested. Vets can also test for kidney failure however if these are positive, the chances of survival reduce significantly.

When our beloved pets ingest things they shouldn’t, the first course of treatment is to induce vomiting. If you catch them in the act or detect it quickly enough, this can be effective in preventing any further damage. They will usually get put on a drip with fluids to support the kidneys which blocks the substance from causing damage if given quickly enough. The faster the treatment can be applied, the better the chances of survival are for your feline friends. Your vet will usually keep them in their care for a period to support them and make sure they improve over a period.

Management is the key to preventing antifreeze poisoning in cats. If you have a cat that is allowed to roam outdoors, you can’t protect them from every source but you can make sure you have a safe environment, free from any hazards for them. Any antifreeze products should be kept out of the way, somewhere your cat cannot possibly gain access to. Any spillages should be cleaned away quickly and regular car checks will make you aware of any leaking from the engine.

If you want to protect your pets further, you can consider switching to a propylene glycol based antifreeze instead. It works just the same but it isn’t toxic to pets and will avoid any nasty accidents. You can discuss any worries with our Community Pet Clinic to make sure you’re doing everything you can to protect your pets.