Advertisement

Vodka saves British cat after brake fluid poisoning

By Ben Hooper
A cat named Princess is recovering from being poisoned by brake fluid after veterinarians gave her vodka to counteract the poison's effects. Screenshot: Blue Cross/YouTube
A cat named Princess is recovering from being poisoned by brake fluid after veterinarians gave her vodka to counteract the poison's effects. Screenshot: Blue Cross/YouTube

Subscribe | UPI Odd Newsletter

March 31 (UPI) -- Veterinarians in London said a cat that accidentally poisoned herself with brake fluid was saved by an unusual antidote: vodka.

The Blue Cross animal hospital in London said 7-year-old cat Princess was brought in by her owner, Teresa Correira Maria, after the feline was found covered in spilled brake fluid in a garden shed.

Advertisement

Veterinarians said Princess quickly became ill after attempting to clean the chemicals off her fur with her tongue.

The hospital said veterinarians rushed to the nearest liquor store to buy a bottle of high alcohol content vodka, which they said can counteract the effects of ethylene glycol, the poisonous chemical in brake fluid, if given to a pet quickly after ingestion.

The vodka was administered to Princess via an IV drip.

"Princess was in a really bad way and it was really touch and go," veterinarian Heather Loh said. "Household products containing this type of chemical are very dangerous to pets and Princess needed 24-hour intensive care."

"Pets should never be given alcohol but this was the only solution to prevent the poison from taking over and killing her," Loh said. "She was a bit worse the wear for several days afterwards but we were relieved blood tests showed the effects of the drip were working and the poison would no longer be fatal."

Advertisement

Maria said Princess has since been able to come home and is recovering from her ordeal.

"I was so worried about her but now relieved and happy she is making a full recovery and was well enough to come home," she said. "The treatment did sound unusual when vets explained what was happening, but I just wanted Princess to survive. I will make sure there is no way she can get into this kind of trouble again."

Latest Headlines