Lola went to the vet hospital after refusing food and becoming progressively more lethargic over the course of the previous evening. When her blood was drawn, she barely moved. Within an hour, it was clear her kidneys were shutting down. Lola was euthanized almost immediately. She was a calico domestic shorthair cat. And she was only sixteen months old.
Her vet immediately began wondering about last week’s case, a young cat presenting with a similar disease process. Though Lola’s mom had no money to spend (hence the rapid election for euthanasia), last week’s owner had shelled out a mint to find the cause of his young cat’s sudden decline.
Was this congenital? Toxic? Infectious? All the typical agents appeared to have been ruled out—but toxicity is what this vet had suspected given the predilection of kidneys for poisonous insult. But he couldn’t prove it—or pinpoint a possible source. After this initial case had eventually been euthanized, he’d asked permission to perform a necropsy. The owner had declined.
Later on the morning of Lola’s visit, the sharp doc put two and two together and determined both cats had come from the same neighborhood in Coral Gables. Both were young. Both were allowed out at certain times of the day. Both had similar symptoms. But what’s the toxic connection? Or might it be some transmissible infection?
After more dead cats began showing up in this neighborhood, necropsies performed revealed changes in the kidneys consistent with acute kidney (renal) failure and antifreeze intoxication.
Ethylene glycol-based antifreeze is a poison that shuts down the kidneys very quickly. It’s damage is irreversible once the kidneys are affected. Early on (within 24 hours of ingestion), however, the potential harm is reversible by administering an antidote that binds to the ethylene glycol molecule. (Vodka is what I used 12 years ago, but now we have a commercial product that works the same magic).
The problem is, when you don’t know that consumption has occurred, there’s no way to know what antidote to give. And by the time it becomes somewhat clearer via clinical signs, the damage has already been done.
So here’s the obvious question: What’s happening? Did the local WalMart run a special on poorly packaged antifreeze purchased by everyone on the block? Not likely. It’s murder for sure. Col. Mustard with the antifreeze on the porch is my guess.
Everyone knows antifreeze kills pets. Someone with a penchant for a poisonous solution to his neighborhood strays is almost certainly passing around the Kool-Aid. He (or she) is spiking the sickly sweet stuff with some tasty tuna juice and setting the dishes out strategically.
This is animal cruelty for sure. No one who’s eve seen a cat suffer renal failure would vouch otherwise. Hopefully he’s left a long trail of the green stuff leading right to his door. But something tells me that he’ll be cooling off his killing spree in the wake of public discontent. I just hope that when he’s caught he’ll pay off the vet bills, the City’s Humane Services bill, and do some hard time for his violent hatred of cats.
PS: Antifreeze does not HAVE to be toxic. Pet safe antifreeze is a little more expensive but well worth the splurge!
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Pet safe anti-freeze? Really? What brand names would one ask for?
Lis February 23rd, 2008 08:16:00 AM
Sierra is the brand I use.
Dr. Patty Khuly February 23rd, 2008 08:52:00 AM
When my cats ask to go outside, they go into a large wire dog crate in my yard or deck (covered for shade in warm weather). I set a timer to remind me to check on them. I also put a note on my exterior doors to remind me not to go anywhere without bringing them in first. They are safe: no hit-by-car injuries, no bitewounds, no access to accidental (or intentional) antifreeze but enjoying some fresh air, bird watching and grass (when it's not winter). And the local wildlife don't have to contend with their hunting behavior.
Love your site!
Linda C February 23rd, 2008 09:28:00 AM
There really isn't a safe way to let your cats roam around outdoors. There are sickos like this everywhere, people with an illogical hatred of cats. Cruel teenagers. Careless and wreckless drivers. Whenever I start feeling guilty about no letting my cats out, I see something that totally wipes away that guilt, like the beautiful gray kitty I passed on the road the other day. He wasn't smooshed, so I pulled over to go over to him to see if he was still alive, if something could be done. Cars were coming - a big SUV -- going too fast -- I put my hands up waving for the to stop. I know they must have seen me. There is no way they could not have -- I was out into the road. They drove right over his head and I believe they did it on purpose, to spite me because I was trying to get them to stop, or simply because those are the kinds of people they are. I could hear it squishing out. Fortunately for me it was pretty dark and I didn't really see the blood. I then left the scene because I knew if there had originally been anything I could have done, there certainly wasn't any more. This was a very suburban street with houses on either side. And the sad thought that occurred to me was that this cat may have been feet from his own yard.
No excuse for what is happening in Coral Gables but the world is full of carelessness, traffic, and outright cruel people -- it's never safe to let your pets run loose.
Stefani February 23rd, 2008 09:43:00 AM
I can't imagine anyone being so cruel and truly hope the person is caught and pays dearly but I have to agree with Stephani about it not being safe for animals to be outside unattended. :(
Jules February 23rd, 2008 10:50:00 AM
My cat goes out, but with me on the other end of the leash attached to her harness.
She learned to wear and tolerate the harness and leash for outdoor excursions at
the rather advanced age of six! (Cat training books say you must start while they
are still kittens.) But, if your cat is sweet-natured, affectionate, and accepts
handling well, you might be able to do this anyway. An adjustable body harness
with two straps and two loops is used for cats on leash instead of a collar, since
it's safer and harder to slip. You simply need your cat to accept wearing the harness
with going ballistic and ignore it enough to enjoy the outdoors. It also is useful
to put on the cat and use with the carrier for visits to the vet.
Mostly we just take little stroll around the yard so she can catch a few rays,
watch birds, and so on. She does not walk at heel like a dog, but the leash
allows be to restrain her if I don't want her getting into something. (Some
people don't look twice and think she's some kind of tiny dog, but she's a compact
6-7 pounds, bigger than a "teacup" dog, but petite for a cat.)
Miss Kitty's Mom February 23rd, 2008 03:45:00 PM
:-( When I told my mom about the feral cat classes our humane society teaches here she said that one of her coworkers knows a guy that "helps" the stray cat issue by leaving a big bowl of antifreeze on his porch. I hope someone kills him slowly and painfully. He's an excellent example of why I like pets more than people.
Sarah February 23rd, 2008 05:10:00 PM
A few months ago a family moved in across the street. The lady that lives next door to them, who had about four outdoor cats, started missing them, one at a time. We deduced that it must be the husband, especially when he offered to shoot a possum that was in her tree. Of course, she said no!
Just like the bumper sticker says; Mean People Suck!
Karen Kohler March 25th, 2008 10:54:00 PM
...is it really that simple to kill a feral cat?
Let's hope!!
g June 25th, 2008 09:39:00 PM
no animal would just eat it by itself would it? or do you have to even make sure no pure antifreeze is out?
mike November 26th, 2008 12:29:11 AM
My dog's sister, rescued along with mine from the side of the road, was killed by a neighbor. He left antifreeze out to kill the foxes, and she ate it. They weren't able to figure out the cause until too late. Antifreeze is sweet and appealing to animals; they certainly will eat it if it's just sitting out.
Antifreeze poisoning is horrible.
Galadriel January 15th, 2009 10:07:41 PM
The cats belong inside, if they were inside then the "sicko" would not have a chance to get to your cats, problem solved
MiamiGator May 26th, 2009 01:19:43 PM
AVI to MOV MAC
jetr July 23rd, 2009 01:57:04 AM
Thank you,it is really pretty ,i like it Ed Hardy
Ed Hard September 9th, 2009 03:16:45 AM
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