Vets keep vodka (or other strong ethanol) because it's a cheap, accessible antidote for antifreeze (ethylene glycol) poisoning, acting as a competitive inhibitor to block the liver from converting the poison into deadly kidney-damaging toxins, allowing the unchanged poison to be flushed out, though the newer drug fomepizole is preferred if available. This treatment requires intensive, supervised IV administration, effectively getting the pet "drunk" but saving their life if caught early.
It is important to know the warning signs and treatment protocol for ethylene glycol poisoning. It is also very interesting that the antidote for ethylene glycol toxicity can include clear hard liquors, such as vodka or Everclear®.
The most common antifreeze is an alcohol known as propylene glycol. It has largely replaced the much more toxic ethylene glycol. Methanol can also be used as an antifreeze, mainly in windshield wiper fluid.
Alcohol ingestion in dogs can cause vomiting, disorientation, lethargy, and respiratory issues. Even small amounts of vodka are toxic. Monitor for symptoms like excessive drooling or uncoordinated movements. Immediate veterinary attention is crucial if symptoms appear.
The toxic component of antifreeze is called ethylene glycol. Ethylene glycol has a sweet taste, which means animals and even children can be drawn to it. Cats do not taste 'sweetness' in the same way we do, but still find drinking ethylene glycol attractive.
The sooner your pet receives veterinary treatment, the better their chances of survival. If left untreated, antifreeze poisoning can cause pain, suffering, distress and ultimately death.
The Top 5 Poisons Of Cats
The leading cause of death in dogs, especially older dogs, is cancer (neoplasia), affecting about 1 in 4 dogs, similar to humans, with specific breeds at higher risk. Other significant causes include old age, heart disease, digestive disorders (like bloat), infectious diseases (like Parvo), and trauma, with sterilization influencing risks for cancer and infections.
Most types of alcohol contain ethanol and grain, which are toxic to cats. Alcohol poisoning can occur when your cat ingests just 1 teaspoon. When ingested, your cat's kidneys and liver will work to get rid of the poison. But if they ingest too much, their kidneys and liver can get overworked.
Since the beginning, and inspired by stray dogs found around the distillery, Tito's has been committed to supporting pets and their people.
Ethylene glycol is a colorless, odorless, sweet-tasting chemical. It is poisonous if swallowed. Ethylene glycol may be swallowed accidentally, or it may be taken deliberately in a suicide attempt or as a substitute for drinking alcohol (ethanol). Most ethylene glycol poisonings occur due to the ingestion of antifreeze.
Methanol (also called methyl alcohol, wood alcohol, and wood spirit, amongst other names) is an organic chemical compound and the simplest aliphatic alcohol, with the chemical formula CH 3OH (a methyl group linked to a hydroxyl group, often abbreviated as MeOH).
► Prolonged or repeated contact can cause a skin rash, dryness and redness. ► Repeated high exposure may affect the kidneys. The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) Workplace Environmental Exposure Limit (WEEL) is 10 mg/m3 (3.2 ppm) averaged over an 8-hour workshift.
Dogs who have consumed antifreeze in very small amounts and don't receive an antidote may survive initially, but will develop kidney failure within days of ingestion. Kidney damage kills many dogs who have been poisoned by antifreeze.
Vodka doesn't contain a significant amount of minerals or nutrients. Vodka has no sugar and fewer calories than some other liquors. If you already consume alcohol, vodka may be a slightly healthier option. Be careful of adding vodka to mixers, however, since they are frequently high in sugar.
The top "silent killers" in cats are Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD), often going undetected until 75% kidney failure, and Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), which damages organs without obvious signs until blindness or seizures occur, notes Muirfield Animal Hospital, Pet Health Network, www.springwoodvets.com.au, Close Veterinary Clinic, Killarney Animal Hospital, Physicians Mutual Insurance, Sykesville Veterinary Clinic, Mona Vale Veterinary Hospital, Nimbus Pet Hospital, Hill's Pet Nutrition, Covetrus North America, ASPCA Pet Insurance and PetCareRx. Other serious conditions include Hyperthyroidism, Heart Disease (like HCM), and Fatty Liver Disease (Hepatic Lipidosis).
Dr. Masserman, who can put two & two together, deduced from this fact that the alcohol evidently removed their inhibitions and dulled their senses, making them less sensitive to shocks. He found that usually he could cure their taste for liquor only by curing their neuroses through psychotherapy.
Symptoms will vary depending on the amount of ethanol ingested, and whether your cat's stomach was full or empty. The main symptom is a depressed central nervous system, which may develop 15 to 30 minutes after ingestion on an empty stomach, and up to two hours when ingested on a full stomach.
"Silent killer" in dogs usually refers to deadly diseases that progress with few early symptoms, primarily Heartworm, Hemangiosarcoma (a type of cancer), and sometimes Leptospirosis or Canine Parvovirus, all characterized by vague initial signs, rapid progression, and severe organ damage, making prevention and early detection crucial.
The sound your dog made might have been due to an involuntary reflex or a sudden surge of adrenaline or pain at the moment of passing. This can happen quite rapidly and is sometimes associated with underlying conditions like heart issues or a sudden seizure.
A Pit Bull's average bite strength is about 235 pounds per square inch (psi), and they make the top of the list for the highest number of fatal bites.
Oscar was a cat living at Steere House Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Rhode Island, and he became famous for seemingly predicting the deaths of residents. His behavior was documented in a 2007 New England Journal of Medicine article by Dr. David Dosa, a geriatrician at the facility.
Cats can only eat canned tuna that is free from salt, seasonings and additives. Avoid high levels of mercury. Certain tuna varieties have higher levels of mercury which can be toxic, so select your tuna carefully. Treat tuna as a treat.
You can ensure a warm, quiet, and peaceful resting area for your cat during its final moments. Euthanasia is often a preferred option. It involves injecting a drug into your cat's body. The drug will put your cat to sleep so that it can pass away peacefully and painlessly.