Do you do your own auto repair service? Are you planning on flushing out your radiator anytime soon? Do you have a leaky radiator? If the answer is yes to any of those questions you need to be aware of the dangers of antifreeze and Beagles. While it might be okay for your car, it is lethal to your dog.

Why are dogs attracted to antifreeze?

Antifreeze has a sweet smell and taste that it appealing to dogs. With the sense of smell that our Beagles have they can be particularly vulnerable to this attraction.

Why is it deadly to dogs?

The Ethelyn Glycol in antifreeze is converted into an acid by the liver. This acid will ravage your pets body, particularly the kidneys. The small size of Beagles means that it does not take much to kill them. A dosage of mere tablespoons can be fatal.

What are some symptoms of antifreeze poisoning?

The first symptoms of antifreeze poisoning is excessive thirst and excessive urination. This is soon followed by loss of coordination, nausea, weakness, tremors, rapid breathing, vomiting, rapid heart rate, convulsions, paralysis and depression. The symptoms will appear within minutes of ingestion of antifreeze and last up to 12 hours. After the symptoms disappear, the danger is not over. After that point the liver has converted the poison into a crystalline acid that will now attack the kidneys. When this occurs additional symptoms will appear such as loss of appetite, dehydration, inability to urinate, salivating, seizures, ulcers, coma and eventually death.

What is the treatment for antifreeze poisoning?

If you suspect that your dog has ingested antifreeze you need to contact your vet immediately. They will induce vomiting and feed your Beagle activated charcoal to absorb the antifreeze. If treatment is begun within the first 12 hours of ingestion, complete recovery is possible. After that point the chances of your pet recovering are greatly reduced.

How can I prevent poisoning?

There are two things that you should do. First off you should make sure that antifreeze is not accessible to your dog. Clean up any spills immediately, properly store used and new antifreeze and fix automobile coolant leaks.  Second you should switch to a newer and safer antifreeze made from Propylene Glycol. Propylene Glycol is not toxic when ingested by pets.