A recent rash of dog poisonings from Community College Drive in Soldotna has pet owners in the area baffled and concerned.
The affected dogs have been suffering from ethylene glycol toxicity, or in laymen's term -- antifreeze poisoning. The coolant used in car radiators to lower the freezing point is sweet to a dog's palate, but deadly to its well-being.
"It knocks out their kidneys," said Dr. Tabitha Perkovich, a veterinarian at Twin Cities Veterinary Clinic. "Unfortunately, if we don't see them within the first 12 to 24 hours, it's often fatal."
Michelle Eckerman's dog clung to life for more than 30 days before having to be euthanized.
"He quit eating and drinking -- even human food -- and started throwing up bile," Eckerman said of Bo, her 3-year-old husky mix that died of ethylene glycol toxicity.
"He lost 25 pounds in a month," Eckerman said, remembering how worried she was.
"Initially we thought he was grieving for another dog we had to put down, but after the results came back, the vet said he was in complete kidney failure and his stomach lining was gone. They said it was from antifreeze, and that Bo was the fourth dog that week from our neighborhood."
The results of the blood work concerned Eckerman and her husband because they said they only let the dog out a couple of times a month, generally when they were doing work or playing in the yard.
Older members of her community have told her there is a history of dog poisoning in the neighborhood and that they think the incidents may not be accidents.
"I can't imagine someone doing this intentionally," Eckerman said. "I want to believe if someone had a problem with a dog, they would came and say it."
Perkovich isn't accusing either, but she agreed the situation was suspicious.
She's seen six to seven dogs at her practice already and two more possible candidates with their diagnostic evidence still pending. The number of cases involving ethylene glycol toxicity is much higher this year than in past years.
"For that many dogs in one vicinity, there's either a chronically leaking vehicle or someone is doing it intentionally," Perkovich said.
Signs of poisoning in a dog may include vomiting, staggering, loss of balance, dilated pupils, loss of appetite or lethargy. Any animal exhibiting these signs should see a veterinarian as quickly as possible.
Pet owners should exercise caution when handling or using antifreeze. There are new forms of antifreeze made of polypropylene gylcol, and although they may be safer if consumed by a pet due to a slower rate of effect, they're still toxic.
However, prevention is the best medicine, according to Perkovich. It's best to walk dogs on a leash so they can be attended. She also recommends not letting dogs run loose through the neighborhood.
"A lot of people like the freedom of letting their dogs run free, but it's safest to keep them at home," she said.
