Listen Up

[2COR517]

I got home from work last night, and my wife says "Cyrus is acting funny". Cyrus is our 14 week old kitten. Sure enough, he can walk, but not in a straight line. A few minutes later on the way to the catbox he vomits and falls down. So I call the vet and take him in. Doc is looking him over, and asks if he could have gotten into any chemicals. Nope, all under the sink taken care of. Continues to examine and asks about houseplants. We have some, but have never seen him eat any. They give him some fluids and pain killers, leave him overnight.

 

After all this I was doing some work outside, and my wife asks, "What's that drain pain full of green water?". Yup, antifreeze. She saw the cat near it, with his paws up on the sides. She didn't actually see him drink any. He went inside shortly afterwards and drank a considerable amount of water. Went downhill quickly from there.

 

Got the call this morning, cat is dead. Asked her if it could have been antifreeze, she said very possibly. Antifreeze causes almost instant kidney failure which would explain the strong thirst.

 

So, I am not looking for sympathy, I can deal with loosing a kitten. My 11 year old daughter is not going to be so happy. Don't need a scolding. I knew I shouldn't have left the stuff out. There's no good excuse for leaving it around. I was looking for a place to dispose of it. It's down the toilet now. I don't think the impact to my septic tank will be much.

 

My reason for posting is simply to warn others

 

DO NOT LEAVE THIS CRAP AROUND. GET RID OF IT.

 

Save yourself and your neighbors the heartache my daughter is going through.

[cerbomark]

Sorry for you, it supposedly has a sweet taste that animals love.

[66nova]

Sorry to hear about that man! It really sucks. Antifreeze is nasty stuff for animals. About the only way they can be successfully treated is if you actually see them drink it. Once clinic signs start well you know the outcome.

 

Thanks for posting this. It never hurts to have a little reminder.

 

Not to mention, it will do the same thing to kids.

[Coalbunny]

2COR517, I'm sorry to hear of your loss. Antifreeze is a very bad fluid. It's a mix of Methanol, Ethylene Glycol, and Propylene Glycol.

 

Methanol and Ethylene Glycol are the toxins, and Propylene Glycol is actually considered a food item be the FDA (was it them or twas it the EPA that declared Peanut Butter a carcinogen back in the '70s?).

 

 

Funny thing is, go read on your toothpaste tube. You'll find Propylene Glycol in that as well.

 

Sir, my suggestion is DO NOT put it down your toilet. Glycol is a very bad chemical that is very bad for your septic system. Sewer systems, who cares? But septic tanks, those depend on the microbiologicals that love "crap" & therefore break it down. Which is why you NEVER add chemicals to the toilet. If anything, yeast. It helps create a safe environment fo the micros. Which means NO anti-bacterial soap. NOTHING anti-bacterial, because that's like using water for fuel in your GMC.

 

Ideally you should put it in a sealable bottle (like the bottle the new antifreeze came in) and all the fire department and ask them where you can take it.

[txab]

Yep. Put the old in containers that can be sealed, then take them to your recycling center for proper disposal.

 

Sorry for your loss, Palmer

 

Cyrus RIP.

[nbscanuck]

Even watch out if you've spilled some on the floor. Use floor dry to get rid of the residue. Leave the floor dry there for a few days to absord as much as it can.

[Spurshot]

Good reminder.

I've been aware of the hazards of antifreeze since I was a young man working on cars. I've had the taste in my mouth more than once. Yes, it's sweet. Dogs, cats, kids could find it tasty enough to drink. Got a scare not long after I got my dog and I had drained my truck's radiator. Just didn't know if the dog had drank it or not. I had left the dog unattended and the used antifreeze was accessable. Got lucky.

 

Be carefull to keep this stuff under your direct control or get it into a closed container.