Companion Animal 16
Antifreeze advice for cat owners A s winter approaches, leading cat charity International Cat Care (iCatCare) is keen to warn cat owners about the dangers of antifreeze. Ethylene glycol, otherwise known as antifreeze, is a chemical commonly used during the winter to prevent freezing, but for cats this chemical is deadly, and as part of its Keeping Cats Safe campaign, iCatCare has produced important safety advice for owners. Antifreeze is commonly used in car radiators, screen washes and de-icers, as well as in garden water features to stop them freezing over. Cats typically come into contact with antifreeze if the liquid is incorrectly stored or spilled, from drinking from a garden water feature with antifreeze added, or regrettably from malicious poisonings. Unfortunately, cats appear to be are attracted to ethylene glycol – although not for its sweet taste as is often thought (cats cannot taste ‘sweetness’) – yet drinking just a tiny amount will cause serious illness and even death. Once ingested, ethylene glycol is broken down in the liver and this process produces other chemicals that cause severe and permanent damage to the cat’s kidneys. This damage is often so severe that the cat cannot survive. Treatment is time sensitive and should be sought immediately. If the cat has already developed kidney damage by the time it is seen by a vet, treatment will not work, so it is
vital that owners are vigilant and act fast.
iCatCare has produced the following advice: •
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Avoid using antifreeze altogether (use screen wash and de-icer sprays that do not contain ethylene glycol). NEVER use antifreeze in outdoor water features. If you do have antifreeze products, keep in clearly labelled, sealed containers. Store any products containing ethylene glycol safely away from animals (and children). Clean up any spillages immediately and keep cats away from affected areas until dry. Look out for the signs of antifreeze poisoning: sickness; a wobbly gait (appearing ‘drunk’); weakness; tiredness; increased drinking and urination; and collapse. Be aware of your cat’s normal health and behaviour – this will help you to notice signs of illness and seek veterinary treatment as soon as possible. If you suspect your cat has been poisoned with antifreeze, seek immediate veterinary treatment. Antifreeze poisoning is lethal and the faster you can get your cat treatment, the better chance it has of surviving.
To help make more people aware of how deadly antifreeze is to cats, iCatCare has also produced a free downloadable antifreeze poster, which lists information and advice for cat owners. To share the poster or to download it for display in pet shops, groomers, catteries
and veterinary clinics etc, please go to: http://icatcare.org/advice/ keeping-cats-safe/antifreeze For more information on antifreeze and the Keeping Cats Safe campaign go to: http://icatcare.org/ advice/keeping-cats-safe
Nutrition advice during the festive season Author: Marianne Lomberg MRCVS, Veterinary Marketing Manager at ROYAL CANIN®
VOLUME 3 ISSUE 9
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common emergency call during the Christmas season is often when an owner discovers their pet has had access to chocolate treats, often resulting in serious consequences. Most owners are aware of the danger of dogs consuming chocolate, and that the best thing to do if suspected is to phone their local vet practice for advice. However, there are other dangers around the home during Christmas. A less well known toxin is Xylitol, which is often present during this time of year. An artificial sweetener, it is commonly used in chewing gum, diet sweets, cakes and often as a replacement to sugar. It is advisable to educate pet owners to think carefully when displaying edible decorations, or leaving edible gifts in reach under the tree. Grapes and sultanas, often found in our favorite festive treats
such as Christmas cake and mince pies, are also highly toxic to cats and dogs. It has been reported that as little as four to five grapes can be fatal in dogs, causing kidney failure. It is not only toxic treats to watch out for; Christmas is also a time for overindulging and many owners feel the need to extend this to include their pets. It is especially important to make owners aware of the importance of a balanced diet, with almost 60% of dogs and 40% of cats in the UK classed as overweight or obese. Many owners are shocked with the calorie conversion for animals, for example, a tin of tuna is the equivalent of three doughnuts for a dog, and feeding a cat a piece of cheese is the equivalent in calories as a shocking six doughnuts. Experts in obesity management, ROYAL CANIN’s dedicated Weight Management Team this
year launched the Approved Weight Management Centre programme. This programme acknowledges a number of practices across the UK for managing overweight or obese cats and dogs, educating clients on prevention. The aim is to educate owners about what is a healthy body shape for their cat or dog, the risks associated with obesity and ensuring that all vet practice staff are confident in providing tailored client information and the best levels of advice, which are particularly important around Christmas. To gain the accolade of
Approved Weight Management Centre, a ROYAL CANIN® weight management specialist spends up to three days with a practice, coaching and training staff at all levels. Guided by experts in weight management, approved clinics provide all patients with a body condition score to help clients recognise if their pet is a healthy weight and to identify any changes at each consultation. For more information about the Approved Weight Management Centre initiative, please contact your ROYAL CANIN® Veterinary Business Manager.