By Grant Smith

MAYBE SHE smelled something sweet inside, maybe she just fancied something to chew on—whatever her motive was, biting into that bottle in her owner’s car almost cost a Labrador her life.

The liquid inside which she happily lapped up was no soft drink, it was ethylene glycol and she was risking paralysis, coma and death from cardiac arrest.

By an incredible stroke of fortune, her owner Shona Middleton was already taking her to the vet for a check-up and swift treatment on arrival meant the potentially fatal effects of the poison were allayed.

The dog’s name? What else could it be but Lucky!

It was a bottle of de-icer that had caught her attention during the trip from north-east Fife to the PDSA PetAid hospital in Dundee. The chemical is widely used in anti-freeze and similar products.

Its sweet taste makes it attractive to animals but drinking it can cause serious health problems and even fairly small amounts can prove fatal.

In Lucky’s case help was just minutes away, as a relieved Shona recalled.

“I couldn’t believe it when Lucky got hold of the bottle of de-icer and managed to chew through it.

“I didn’t know that the smell of ethylene glycol was attractive to pets but hopefully highlighting what happened to Lucky will prevent any more accidents like this.

“Thankfully I was already on my way to the PDSA hospital so Lucky received the emergency treatment she needed to save her life.

“I can’t thank them enough for their help.”

Lucky was given activated charcoal, mixed with water, to prevent the chemical being absorbed in her stomach.

Vet Susan Somers said, “Dogs and cats are attracted to the sweet taste of ethylene glycol used in anti-freeze, screen wash and sometimes de-icers.

“Most pets willingly lap up the liquid, despite the fatal side-effects.

“Animals seen within 12 hours of ingesting it generally have a better chance of survival.

“It was a real stroke of luck that Lucky was already on her way to the PetAid hospital when the accident happened.”

Ms Somers said vets often saw such poisoning cases during winter and she urged people to take extra care when handling or storing anti-freeze and anything else that contained the chemical.

The signs to look out for in an affected animal include vomiting, poor co-ordination, weakness, convulsions, thirst, increased urination and rapid breathing.