Dogs Trust Merseyside Issues Winter Alert:- 'Beware the Hidden Danger of Antifreeze Poisoning for Dogs'

AS temperatures drop and winter weather sets in, Dogs Trust Merseyside is urging pet owners across the country to take extra care in protecting their furry friends from the hidden dangers of antifreeze.

Commonly used in de-icing products, screen wash and in car engines, antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, a highly toxic substance that can cause severe illness or even death in pets if ingested. Even a very small amount can be deadly.

Antifreeze has a sweet taste, which can make it tempting for animals to drink if it's left in accessible areas or spills onto driveways and roads. Unfortunately, the ethylene glycol it contains can cause acute, irreversible kidney failure and neurological issues. Symptoms of poisoning may not appear immediately, but early signs to watch for include:

Vomiting.
Lethargy and weakness.
Unsteady or drunken-like behaviour.
Increased thirst and urination.
Rapid breathing.
Seizures or muscle twitching.

If you suspect your pet has ingested antifreeze, contact a vet immediately. Prompt treatment is critical to prevent irreversible damage and, if left untreated, ingestion of antifreeze can lead to kidney failure, coma, and death. The faster treatment begins, the better the chances for a full recovery.

Charlie Dobson, Senior Veterinary Surgeon at Dogs Trust, says:- "Antifreeze is extremely dangerous for dogs, and other pets, because even a small amount can lead to serious, often fatal, health issues. Unfortunately, because it has a sweet taste it can be particularly enticing to pets. The best way to protect your dog is to keep all antifreeze and de-icing products securely stored, avoid using them around your dog, and seek veterinary care immediately if you suspect they've ingested any."

Keeping Your Pets Safe

Antifreeze is not the only risk facing dogs and their owners in this weather. To help ensure dogs remain healthy and happy, the nation's largest dog welfare charity has published some easy-to-follow guidance.

Stay warm; Dogs feel the cold just like we do, so it is important to keep them warm. Some breeds grow thick furry coats all year round, so, as the weather gets colder, consider letting your dog's fur grow longer to give them added protection. Some shorter-haired pooches and puppies may need a little bit of help staying warm, so consider buying them a sensible winter coat. Wearing a coat is a new experience for some dogs and needs to be introduced in a gradual and positive way.

Keep your dog on the lead; Snow can be disorientating for dogs, and they can become easily lost in it. Make sure your dog is wearing a collar and ID tag, and their microchip details are up to date.

Wipe after walking; Make sure you wipe your dog's legs, feet and stomach after a walk, as grit from the roads and dampness from rain or snow can irritate their skin.

Avoid ice; Many dogs love to swim but with these freezing temperatures, they may find their usual spot frozen over. While it might be tempting to let them run on this ice, Dogs Trust is warning that this could be dangerous for both dogs and owners alike. The ice may not be thick enough to take your dog's weight, and they could fall through into the freezing water underneath.

Increase visibility; Your own safety is important too. Before heading out for a walk, make sure that you are dressed appropriately for the weather with a suitable coat and shoes, and ensure you and your dog are visible. As the days grow shorter, consider wearing a high-vis jacket, and use a reflective collar, lead, and high visibility coat for your dog.

Check your lead; Regularly check your dog's leads, collars and harnesses to make sure they're all functioning safely and won't get damaged by winter weather, as wet weather can cause metal clips to rust. It can be trickier to do up lead clips and attach them to collars and harnesses when it's cold, so do this indoors if you can.

Consider indoor games; You might be spending more time indoors if the weather's very bad, so always make sure your dog has plenty to do. Indoor games like hide and seek, or 'find it', are fun and mentally stimulating for your dog. Hide a toy for them to search for and play with them as a reward when they find it. Long-lasting tasty chews, or rubber food-releasing toys and enrichment games are useful for giving your dog something enjoyable to do that is mentally stimulating.

For more tips and advice, visit:- DogsTrust.Org.UK.

Slowdown in road safety resulting in thousands of preventable deaths and serious injuries on UK roads

TRAGICALLY, during Road Safety Week, from:- 17 November to 23 November 2024, 28 people will lose their lives on UK roads as a new report launched by RoSPA:- 'Safer Lives, Stronger Nation,' reveals there are over 1,600 preventable deaths annually on British roads.

Over the last decade, progress on road safety has slowed dramatically; road fatalities have reduced by just 9% in the last decade compared to a drop of 47% in the previous decade. This presents an opportunity for the Government to make up for lost time. RoSPA is calling on Government to implement a National Accident Prevention Strategy to save lives, boost the economy and free up capacity in the NHS; which includes:- 15 policy recommendations to improve road safety for all road users, including:- pedestrians.

Accidental deaths and serious injuries on UK roads remain too high

In 2023, over 1,600 people tragically lost their lives on UK roads, over 28,000 more were seriously injured and there were more than 132,000 injuries of all severity. In the decade from:- 2014 to 2023 road fatalities reduced by just 9%, and the UK's road fatality reduction rate was the seventh-worst in the EU27 during this time. This is a marked slowdown in progress compared to the 47% reduction in the previous decade.

In 2023, 45% of people killed on the road were car users (including:- taxis and minibuses), 25% were pedestrians, 19% motorcyclists and 5% were pedal cyclists, and about 6% were in other types of vehicles. Motorcyclists have the highest rate of death per miles travelled, very closely followed by pedestrians and pedal cyclists, highlighting these groups as the most vulnerable road users. In comparison the fatality rate for incidents involving cars per miles travelled is very low, despite cars causing the highest number of fatalities.

RoSPA's report highlights that among all drivers, those under 25 are not only more likely to be killed or injured on the roads but are responsible for many other deaths and serious injuries. The fatality rate is 71% higher in under 25s than over 25s. Evidence shows this is due to lack of experience or riskier driving and suggests that young drivers and their passengers are less likely to wear seatbelts. Almost half (49%) of drivers aged between 17 and 24 admit to using their mobile phone while driving, compared to a quarter (25%) of drivers of all ages.

Road traffic accidents cause 7% of all accident related deaths and 7% of all accident-related Hospital admissions

Accidental deaths now needlessly take over 20,000 lives each year. New data from all 4 nations, collated by RoSPA, reveals that road fatalities are the fourth most common cause of accidental death in the UK; 7% of all accidental deaths were because of a road traffic accident.

In England alone, accident related Hospital admissions for serious injuries have risen by 48% in the last 2 decades. Over 740,000 people were admitted to Hospital due to an accident in England in 2022/23, almost the size of the population of Leeds, rising to over 870,000 people across the UK. In England in 2022, injuries sustained from road traffic accidents were the third biggest cause of accident-related Hospital admissions; 7% of all accident-related Hospital admissions were because of a road traffic accident.

Most common cause of accidental death in 2022 (UK wide)

Falls = 46%
Poisonings = 26%
Other = 13%
Road traffic / transport = 7%
Threats to breathing eg:- choking and suffocating = 3%
Drowning = 1%

Most common cause of accident related Hospital admissions in 2022 (England only)

Falls = 61%
Exposure to inanimate mechanical forces eg:- crushing, striking, contact with machinery, sharp objects, explosions = 11%
Road traffic / transport = 7%
Other = 7%
Exposure to animate mechanical forces eg:- contact with animals and people = 4%
Poisoning = 3%

Accidents cost the UK almost �12 billion annually in medical care and cost to businesses!

As well as personal pain and injury, accidents put a huge strain on the NHS, costing at least �6 billion annually in NHS medical care; not including:- ambulance callouts, surgery or long term treatment.

In England, in 2023 alone, over 4.4 million bed days were used up to treat patients with accident related injuries, costing the NHS an estimated �4.6 billion. Across the UK accidents led to around 5.2 million bed days, costing the NHS an estimated �5.4 billion last year. In addition, accidents resulted in around 7 million Accident & Emergency (A&E) visits across the UK last year, costing the NHS a total of at least �6 billion every year.

Accident-related injuries are also a drain on the economy and prevent people from working. The combined cost to UK businesses is �5.9 billion, due to lost output and indirect management costs.

RoSPA is calling for the Government to create a National Accident Prevention Strategy to save lives, boost the economy and free up capacity in the NHS; which includes:- 15 policy recommendations to improve road safety. Read RoSPA's full report:- 'Safer Lives, Stronger Nation.'

Caitlin Taylor, Road Safety Manager at RoSPA, said:- "Our new report shows that there is still much to do to improve safety on the UK's roads. Today, 4 people will tragically die on the road, and this is unacceptable. These fatalities and injuries are often preventable; they do not have to happen. Time and time again we have seen the numbers of road incidences fall significantly after implementing the right improvements in legislation, technology, funding and enforcement. Even those who have never been involved in a road incident are still suffering the consequences, as increasing numbers of incidents are choking the UK economy and engulfing the NHS; taking up bed space, money, time and resources that could be directed to other serious illnesses. As part implementing a National Accident Prevention Strategy, we're calling for the Government to introduce 15 measures to significantly reduce fatalities and serious injuries on our roads."

Aaron Powell, Fleet and Logistics Director at Speedy Hire, said:- "Road safety is a crucial issue that affects everyone, and the findings from RoSPA's report highlight the urgent need for action. We believe that safety should extend beyond the workplace and encompass all aspects of life, including:- our roads. With thousands of preventable accidents each year, it is imperative that we collaborate with Government and industry partners to implement effective measures that can save lives, reduce injuries, and alleviate the economic burden of road traffic accidents."

RoSPA is calling on the Government to implement the following 15 measures to reduce road fatalities and injuries:-

Introduce a Road Safety Strategy for England.
Establish a dedicated body to investigate serious road incidents.
Introduce a system of Graduated Driver Licensing in the UK.
Adopt the General and Safety Pedestrian Regulations into UK law.
Reduce the legal blood alcohol content limit for drivers.
Increase support for traffic Police to help them tackle drug driving.
Employers put in place strict drink and drug driving policies for staff.
Improve public awareness messaging around the risks of drug driving.
Empower local authorities to set safe speed limits in their areas.
Improve public understanding of the risks and legal requirements around vehicle defects.
Support public awareness campaigns aimed at promoting behavioural change in relation to:- distraction, seat belt wearing, drink and drug driving, driving drowsy, and speeding.
Better investigate the role of vehicle defects in road traffic incidents.
Encourage healthy and active travel, including:- walking and cycling.
Support the creation of cycle lanes, street lighting, and teach children about road safety.
Encourage local authorities to create School travel plans which support safe travel to School.