6 June 2011
How Hazardous Is Alcohol To Dogs And Cats?
Posted by admin under: Health .
It’s outrageous, but some of the people actually enjoy giving their cat or dog alcohol and seeing how they react. As Fluffy or Fido reels around in a confused condition, their owners have a good giggle. Not each person who owns pets realizes that alcohol is toxic to dogs and cats – and exposure to outwardly innocuous amounts of alcohol can kill a pet. When alcoholic drinks are served, cats and dogs should be left out of the party – and in a safe place.
Topping up a pet’s bowl with beer or wine is not the only potential way a dog or cat can gain access to alcohol. They can also get exposure by licking up or drinking cooking products which contain alcohol, personal products like mouthwash or perfume, household cleaning products – or by getting into alcohol-containing cough syrups or other medications.
Some producers of cat and dog oral hygiene products really add 25% or more alcohol to their recipe, which may also cause injury over time. Either way, alcohol is bad for canines or cats. Cats and dogs can even get alcohol toxicity by consuming fermented foods, provided they eat sufficient of them.
Some types of alcoholic drinks are far more perilous to cats and dogs than others. Beer contains the lowest concentration of alcohol, typically around 4%. Wine averages 10% alcohol by volume, but some hard liquor can be as high as ninety percent alcohol.
Even small quantities of hard spirits can for certain kill a small dog or cat. More reason to keep that liquor cupboard locked and pets in a secure place when entertaining. Remember that all alcoholic beverages should be off-limit to pets without reference to the concentration of alcohol.
As in humans, when a dog or cat ingests alcohol, it causes depression of their central nervous system. In some ways, its effects on a pet’s nervous system are similar to that of humans. A dog or cat slows down, becomes drowsy and loses their coordination. If they’re exposed to higher degrees of alcohol, it can depress their nervous system to the extent that their breathing and heart rate slow down, and their body temperature drops.
Their blood chemistry is also changed, resulting in a threatening condition called metabolic acidosis where the blood becomes too acidic. At this stage, without treatment, death soon follows usually due to cardiac arrest. Even if a cat or dog doesn’t die of the acute results of alcohol poisoning, it can be damaging to their liver and kidneys.
What Are The Signs Of Alcohol Poisoning In Dogs And Cats?
Look out for changes in behaviour like problems standing up or walking, trouble with coordination, fatigue, a slow respiratory rate, excessive urination, puking, or a lack of responsiveness. Infrequently a dog or cat will have an odour of alcohol on their breath. If a cat or dog has had a full meal and then ingested alcohol, the signs and indications of alcohol harmfulness might be delayed for at least two hours.
Dogs and cats that are exposed to alcohol can also have perilous drops in their blood sugar level and might need to be given glucose speedily to avoid brain damage. Very low blood sugars can cause fits in pets.
If your cat or dog has any of these danger signs, take them to a vet’s office or animal emergency center immediately. The sort of treatment a veterinarian administers to a cat or dog that has alcohol poisoning varies dependng on their symptoms, lab studies and how much they consumed. The veterinarian will probably measure the quantity of alcohol in their blood, and check other blood parameters before beginning suitable treatment.
Some pets may not require treatment if the quantity of alcohol they consumed was little. Other animals will need activated charcoal to absorb the alcohol and intravenous fluids. Dogs and cats with a very slow heart rate due to the ingestion of alcohol may even have to be on a ventilator. Fortunately, most instances of alcohol poisoning in dogs and cats can be treated effectively if that treatment is started sufficiently early.
The Bottom Line:
Giving a cat or dog alcohol at a party is not an occasion for humor. It could permanently damage or kill the animal. Similarly, it’s important to keep all dogs and cats away from personal care products and home products. Study the label and ensure you buy a non-alcoholic cat and dog dental care product. Try to get other members of your family to do the same. Cats and dogs don’t know what’s good for them and what isn’t – and they’re by nature curious creatures. Don’t allow them to accidentally or purposely play around with alcohol.
References : The Merck Veterinary Manual. 2010.
