Dog antifreeze poisoning (ethylene glycol)
If your dog may have licked or drunk antifreeze (ethylene glycol), treat it as a true emergency and call a veterinarian or poison control line immediately — even a small amount can be fatal, and the antidote only works if given early. Antifreeze tastes sweet, so dogs drink it readily. Early signs (within hours) look like drunkenness — wobbliness, vomiting, and excessive thirst — and a dog may then seem to improve before severe kidney failure develops a day or two later. Do not wait for that false recovery; the window to save the kidneys is short.
Go to a vet now if
- Any known or suspected access to antifreeze, radiator coolant, or screen wash
- Wobbliness, stumbling, or a 'drunk' appearance
- Vomiting, excessive thirst, or increased urination
- Later: lethargy, reduced urination, or collapse
Call a vet today if
- There is no safe wait-and-see for antifreeze — call immediately, even with no signs yet
What to tell the vet
- What product and how much, if known
- When the exposure happened
- Your dog's weight
- Any signs so far
- Where the spill or container was
- Existing kidney or other conditions
What not to do
- Do not wait for signs — the antidote must start early to protect the kidneys
- Do not be reassured by an apparent recovery — kidney failure can follow
- Do not make your dog vomit unless a vet directs you to
What your vet may check
Your vet will assess exposure and may run blood and urine tests, start an antidote that blocks the toxic breakdown, and provide intensive fluids. The sooner treatment begins, the better the chance of protecting the kidneys.
Recovery support after veterinary assessment
If treated early, outcomes are far better. Your vet will monitor kidney values and guide recovery feeding and hydration; supportive nutrition is used on veterinary advice only.
Frequently asked questions
How much antifreeze is toxic to a dog?
Even a small amount of ethylene glycol antifreeze can be fatal, and toxicity depends on the dog's size. Any suspected exposure is an immediate emergency.
Why is antifreeze poisoning so urgent?
The antidote only works in a narrow early window before the toxin damages the kidneys. Dogs may also seem to recover briefly before severe kidney failure develops, so do not wait.
What are the first signs of antifreeze poisoning?
Early signs within hours look like drunkenness — wobbliness, vomiting, and excessive thirst. Call your vet at the first suspicion, or even before signs appear.
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Sources & standards
Emergency guidance follows AVMA, Merck Veterinary Manual, ASPCA Animal Poison Control, and small-animal emergency-medicine standards, reviewed by our veterinary advisory board.