Warning over using 'highly toxic' antifreeze during snow storm

It's one of those useful items drivers always keep on hand for cold, wintry and snowy weather.

And this week drivers up and down the UK are bound to reach for the antifreeze and de-icer sprays as temperatures plunge and snowstorms batter the country for at least 15 hours.

experts the Met Office say up to 20cm of could fall in parts of England, Scotland and Wales overnight, while even lower areas could see 10cm accumulating.

Drivers who can't avoid using their car and travelling, such as those who need to get to work and can't work from home, will be using antifreeze this week to keep engines from seizing up in the cold, snowy conditions.

But antifreeze is actually extremely toxic and can end up killing dogs and cats which come into contact with it, vet charity the PDSA has warned.

And because it tastes quite sweet, even if you spill a little bit of it on your driveway, you could end up inadvertently killing a cat or dog.

The PDSA said: "Antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, which is an extremely toxic chemical. Ethylene glycol is also found in car screen wash, brake fluid, radiator fluid and garden water features. If it's swallowed even in small amounts, it can cause permanent damage to your dog's kidneys.

"Unfortunately, ethylene glycol is naturally sweet which, is why dogs are often tempted to drink it. They can also ingest it if they walk through a spillage and lick it off their paws."

Once swallowed, symptoms of antifreeze poisoning can develop in as little as an hour, and tend to include:

• Wobbliness and weakness - this tends to happen within one hour of ingestion and then improves again.
• Vomiting
• Low energy (lethargy)
• Drinking more than normal
• Weeing more than normal to begin, and then less than normal from one to three days after ingestion.
• Difficulty breathing or fast breathing
• Seizures (fits)
• Collapse

The PDSA adds: "Contact your vet straight away, if you suspect your dog has come into contact with antifreeze or any other product containing ethylene glycol - don't wait for symptoms to develop.

"Sadly, due to its very toxic nature, many dogs die from ethylene glycol poisoning. Your dog has a higher chance of surviving if treatment is started within 12 hours of coming into contact with it. The outlook will also depend on the amount of ethylene glycol your dog has swallowed."