Dogs poisoned with antifreeze
Johnson City, TN (US)

Incident Date: Sunday, Aug 24, 2008
County: Washington

Disposition: Open

Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!

Washington County sheriff�s investigators are asking residents in the Boones Creek area to report any suspicious vehicles or other activity in the 200 block of Old Stage Road over the weekend, following the poisoning of three dogs.

Two of the dogs died after being fed lunch meat laced with ethylene glycol antifreeze, investigators said.

A third dog appears to have survived the ordeal. If captured, the dog poisoner would face premeditated animal cruelty charges, plus the likelihood of civil lawsuits based on the veterinarian bills incurred following the poisoning.

The case may not be an isolated incident. Dr. Sara Jones of Mountain Empire Animal Hospital said she treated another dog poisoning over the weekend.

Saving an animal subjected to antifreeze poisoning depends on animal weight, how much they ingested and how soon they are brought to the veterinarian, Jones said.

�To have a chance, we need to institute treatment within 30 minutes to 12 hours after ingesting the poison,� Jones said.

Animals that exhibit symptoms similar to alcohol ingestion, including acting drunk, stumbling, falling, drinking and urinating frequently and vomiting should be brought to the vet immediately. �After 24 hours they appear to be OK, but anytime from then to 72 hours later they undergo kidney failure,� Jones said. �Symptoms can include seizures, ulceration of the mouth, vomiting and not eating. Kidney failure is acute, progressive and fast.�

She said that as ethylene glycol is oxidized it attacks the renal tubular cells and destroys the kidneys. Just the regular work of processing regular food then hastens the demise.

�If there�s any question that your animal might have been poisoned, it�s better to treat sooner than later,� Jones said. �Treatment involves using anisol, which is expensive, but it�s the best hope we have.�

References

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