Antifreeze Poisoning Antifreeze is one of the top toxicological problems in dogs. Ethylene glycol, found in antifreeze is responsible for numerous canine deaths each year. Exposure often is the result of spills or leaks from coolant systems, and the sweet taste attracts pets to it. It only takes a few good licks of spilled antifreeze to be fatal for a dog the size of a lab. It of course takes much less for a Havanese. As little as 1 ounce may be fatal to a 15-pound dog!!!! While an antidote is now available, it must be given almost immediately after the dog ingests the antifreeze. If you believe your dog has ingested antifreeze, DO NOT wait for symptoms to appear. Get the dog to your vet immediately!! Waiting for symptoms to appear could make the difference of life or death for your dog!! Ethylene glycol is measurable in the blood within 30 minutes. Typical symptoms, which may occur within 1-6 hours, are loss of coordination, vomiting, rapid heart & respiratory rates progressing to coma and death. The signs of poisoning have a swift onset and progress rapidly. If the dog survives this stage and lives longer, it will most likely die as a result of kidney failure and acidosis. Antifreeze poisoning can be avoided: Non-toxic antifreeze products are now available that do NOT contain ethylene glycol. For less than $200.00 (local to us), you can have the old antifreeze completely flushed from your vehicle and replaced with non-toxic versions. Tip - If you are having your vehicle worked on, and the mechanic needs to flush the antifreeze for any reason, ask that he replace it with a non-toxic version. This will save you doubling up on that expense. And at the same time may save the life of your pet. Pets should be kept away from garages or shops where antifreeze containing ethylene glycol may be present. Whether left sitting in open containers, spilled on floors, or even allowed to remain on containers used for pouring the solutions, it is all poisonous and all attractive in taste to dogs. If you think your dog has ingested antifreeze, Please get them to a veterinarian immediately!!