subject: Government Warning: Alcohol are Harmful for Pets [print this page] Government Warning: Alcohol are Harmful for Pets
Any vet will tell you that alcohol and pets don't mix and the strange thing is, some dogs can develop a taste for the stuff even though it's bad for them. You should never give your dog alcohol as it can be deadly to dogs, even in small amounts. Three ounces of liquor can depress the nervous system of a 15 pound animal and cause respiratory arrest. While most pets will avoid alcohol like the plague, holiday drinks such as eggnog can seem palatable to many pets.
Cats are unable to process alcohol and a tiny tablespoon of whisky can kill a cat.
Wine is extremely dangerous to dog because grapes are poisonous for dogs. Ingesting wine can quickly kill a small dog even in very small quantities. Artificial sweeteners are also lethal to dogs and cats. Artificial sweeteners are commonly added to cocktails and wine coolers and this adds to the toxicity of alcohol to pets.
You don't have to offer alcohol to an animal or force them to drink it to put them at risk, glasses left lying around will offer an easy opportunity for a curious or adventurous pet to get their muzzle into the glass and have a taste.
Symptoms of alcohol poisoning are sadly very similar to many other dig diseases but smelling alcohol on your pet's breath may be a good indicator of alcohol overdose. Lethargy, confusion and vomiting are symptoms of alcohol poisoning. Some pets will become hyperactive after ingesting alcohol. If your pet has consumed a large enough amount of alcohol to be toxic, they will exhibit slow breathing and even respiratory arrest. Pets can go into coma and experience cardiac arrest.
Cats display the same symptoms as dogs but they may also exhibit incontinence or excessive urination as well. You should take your pet to the vet right away if you suspect it has consumed any alcohol. Your vet will most probably give your pet activated charcoal tablets to absorb any alcohol in the system and your pet will be given intravenous fluids to prevent dehydration and collapse. If your pet's respiratory function has been compromised the vet may put the animal on a ventilator until it can breathe on its own again.
Another substance that is highly toxic to pets is antifreeze. Pets should be kept away from antifreeze at all times and if you spill any antifreeze make sure you clean it up thoroughly or your pet could ingest it and die.
Because prevention is always better than the cure, all alcoholic beverages and antifreeze should be safely kept out of the reach of pets.
