The Hickory Daily Record (Hickory, North Carolina) has published a story of the death of a Siberian Husky from antifreeze poisoning headlined "Animals' antifreeze poisonings prompt government action". Antifreeze is a common agent in canine accidental deaths, as the ingredient ethylene glycol, which has a sweet taste, causes death from kidney failure when even small quantities are taken. The good news is that something may finally be done about this common hazard. The story states that an "Antifreeze Bittering Act" has been introduced in Congress which would require coolant products containing ethylene glycol also to contain denatonium benzoate, an extremely bitter chemical. Let's hope that bill gets passed!
Sleddog owners should be aware of this risk and be extremely vigilant to avoid coolant leakage from their vehicles, particularly in winter when antifreeze-soaked snow can remain on the ground indefinitely. Dogs on drop chains around a dog truck are at particularly high risk if the vehicle's cooling system has a leak or overflows. Coolant drained from a vehicle should always be disposed of safely and promptly -- never leave it unattended, even for a moment, where a dog might access it. It takes only a small amount to kill a dog, and the death is a painful one.
Posted by jjeffrey at August 17, 2005 12:51 PM