January 27th happened and dog owners worst nightmare. The dog Bowie was, like all other dogs, happy to sniff, and happy to taste a little of everything he came across on the trip.
Dog owner Ann Kristin Vilsvik noticed a change when Bowie was suddenly limp and did not want to eat. She got worried and drove him to the vet. It turned out that Bowie had been glycol poisoned.
The case was first mentioned by Well prepared.
Poison from puddle
Glycol is found in, among other things, antifreeze, brake fluid and windscreen washer fluid. These liquids are dangerous for dogs and can, in the worst case, have fatal consequences.
LOVED: Bowie was a much loved dog. Photo: Private
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– When I was told what glycol can do to a dog, I understood where and how Bowie had most likely ingested glycol, says Vilsvik.
On a trip with Bowie, the dog had shown great interest in drinking from a puddle. Later on the way home from the trip, an old car was parked right there.
– My theory is that this is where he has ingested glycol, Vilsvik explains.
Will warn others
Now Vilsvik wants to warn other dog owners. She has initially thought that dogs like to stay away from what smells strong and painful. So Bowie could smell what he should steer clear of.
BEST FRIENDS: (from left) Balder and Bowie were best friends, and they were always together. Photo: Private
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– Now I understand that dogs do not have that quality. They can not smell if something is not good for them. This may be something I should have known, but the thought that small amounts of glycol can destroy a dog’s kidneys has not struck me, she says.
Vilsvik thinks that there may be more dog owners who lack the knowledge.
After the vet visit, Bowie started on antibiotics and kidney-friendly food. The vet had told Vilsvik that there was hope, but that she had to prepare for the worst.
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Bowie had taken both ultrasounds and blood tests. These showed that his kidney values were high and damaged.
Died after a month
– The antibiotic regimen helped, and was probably the reason why he stayed alive so long after he was poisoned, Vilsvik says.
Bowie recovered when he started on antibiotics, but soon became ill again when he stopped. He died just under a month after he was poisoned, and just managed to be two years old.
According to Sasja Rygg, marketing and communications manager at AniCura Norway, glycol has a sweet taste, which makes dogs happy to be curious and attracted to the substance.
Afraid of dogs
– Dogs have no inherited lessons that tell them what they should eat and not. Therefore, they can absorb the most incredible things, she says.
How much glycol dogs can tolerate depends on the weight of the dog. But they do not need to ingest much of the drug until it is lethal.
– Glycol poisoning leads to kidney failure in the dog. Then the dog usually becomes critically ill within 24 hours. If poisoning is suspected, you must go to the vet urgently, Rygg explains.
KIDNEY FAILURE: Sasja Rygg, marketing and communications manager at AniCura Norway, says that glycol poisoning causes kidney failure in dogs. Photo: Private
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The symptoms to watch for
At the vet, the dog will receive intravenous fluid treatment. Then they cleanse the kidneys in the hope of diluting the toxin so that it causes the least possible damage.
– When we get a poisoned dog in, it is often a detective’s job to find out what the cause may be. The owner often does not know this, as they may have ingested anything during the day, says Rygg.
The symptoms to look for in case of poisoning in general are vomiting, severe diarrhea, cramps, fatigue, large amounts of saliva and sickle. They can also be wobbly and almost appear intoxicated, according to Rygg.
– In the case of glycol poisoning, urine production will cease within one to two days. Coma can occur, and then the animal will most likely die, Rygg explains.
