Antifreeze & Allergies

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Pet Health

How do you pick up a rabbit? Andrea Looney, D.N., answers that and other householdanimal questions.

Dear Andrea:

I was servicing my truck one day and accidentally spilled some antifreeze on the floor of the garage. My dog, who was keeping me company, began licking the puddle. Although I pulled him away immediately, he loitered around that spot even after I cleaned it up. What is it about antifreeze that attracts my dog so much?

—Terry Dennis Eugene, Oregon

Dear Terry:

When someone mentions the word "poison," we usually visualize a bottle of lethal powder or fluid deliberately given to an unsuspecting individual. Many ordinary, seemingly innocent, household and garage items, however, can be quite harmful, if not fatal, to pets. Antifreeze is one of the most potent of these chemicals. It has a sweet taste that attracts many animals and explains your dog's fascination. Upon ingestion, the substance is quickly absorbed and metabolized to form certain acids. These acids then combine with calcium to cause crystals that lodge in the kidney tubules. Animals that become toxic from ingesting antifreeze succumb to renal (kidney) failure from crystallization of this important organ.

Less-toxic antifreezes (such as one marketed by Safe Brands Corporation of Omaha, Nebraska) are now available. To be sure that your pet doesn't ingest any antifreeze (as well as to avoid poisoning the underground water supply), don't drain it onto the ground or driveway; instead drain it into a covered container or sand receptacle and dispense properly. Watch for leaky radiators or hoses; they may drip small amounts of antifreeze for days before the problem is discovered. Should your cat or dog walk through such a puddle, try to wipe their feet off before they lick them.

Dear Andrea:

My 6-year-old semi-long-haired cat can't seem to eat any food without getting sick to his stomach. What can I do?

—K Smith Cantor, Ohio

Dear K:

Cats vomit for a variety of reasons. The most common reasons include parasites and hairballs. Parasites may be treated with appropriate anthelmintics or de-wormers, best obtained from your veterinarian and specific for the type of worm the animal has.

Hairballs are especially prevalent in long-haired cats. As the cat cleans itself, the loose, shed hairs are often swallowed. In the stomach, they may form a mass, often incapable of passing into the intestines. If the mass does pass, it may cause obstruction of the intestines or constipation.

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