Antifreeze Poisoning (Ethylene Glycol)
Antifreeze is one of our most frustrating poisonings and one of our most common. We want to encourage you to be VERY careful in handling antifreeze around your home. I am a big fan of the low toxicity antifreeze. I use it exclusively in my truck and have found it to very effective. I am not an expert on cars but "it's worked for me". Low toxicity antifreeze is NOT non-toxic so be careful with it too!
We often have to test for antifreeze even when we don't know that a poisoning has occured. Early identification of the problem is the most important factor in treatment. The following info is from VetMedCenter.com.
Understanding Your Pet's Medical Diagnosis
What is ethylene glycol poisoning?
Ethylene glycol poisoning occurs when animals swallow substances containing ethylene glycol. Ethylene glycol is the principal component of most antifreeze products. Antifreeze is readily available, especially in winter or in cold climates. Antifreeze has a somewhat pleasant taste that attracts dogs and cats. Only a small amount of antifreeze may be a lethal dose. Ethylene glycol poisoning is common in pets; the poisoning frequently is fatal. Fatality rates are higher for cats than for dogs.
What is the cause of ethylene glycol poisoning?
The cause of ethylene glycol poisoning is the ingestion of ethylene glycol, usually in the form of antifreeze. The poisoning usually is accidental. If antifreeze leaks or if a person changes the antifreeze and allows it to spill into the environment, a dog or cat will lick or drink the antifreeze.
What are the signs of ethylene glycol poisoning?
The signs of ethylene glycol poisoning vary, depending on the animal species, the volume of antifreeze, and how rapidly the antifreeze was ingested. Early signs can occur 30 minutes after ingestion. Signs include mild to severe depression, nausea, vomiting, unsteady gait, and knuckling (the paws are bent over so that the animal appears to be walking on the front part of the paw). Other signs are small muscle contractions, rapid movements of the eyeball, head tremors, impaired reflexes, and low body temperature. As depression continues, dogs may drink less but urine output increases causing dehydration. Dogs may appear to recover after approximately 12 hours. Cats usually remain markedly depressed. Late signs can occur after 12 hours in cats or 36 hours in dogs. Late signs may include severe lethargy, coma, seizures, vomiting, mouth ulcers, drooling, and complete shutdown of the kidneys (kidney failure).
How is ethylene glycol poisoning diagnosed?
Ethylene glycol poisoning is based upon history (if exposure is known), clinical signs, physical examination, and diagnostic tests. The veterinarian will be concerned about any recent history, especially about any foreign substances the pet may have eaten. Similar signs can occur in other conditions, such as diabetes and disorders of the liver, kidneys, or nervous system. Ethylene glycol is a common cause of sudden kidney failure. The veterinarian will want to differentiate poisoning from other causes of kidney failure, especially if the pet had been healthy prior to the onset of signs. Blood will be taken for testing and is helpful in diagnosing kidney failure. Urinalysis is helpful in ruling out ethylene glycol poisoning because protein and blood usually do not occur in the urine of pets with ethylene glycol poisoning. Blood can be analyzed using a special test for the presence of ethylene glycol; however, the ethylene glycol usually is not detectable 72 hours after the animal ingested it. Kidney biopsy (removal and examination of tissue) may be necessary for a definite diagnosis. Calcium oxalate crystals (a by product of ethylene glycol) in the tubules of the kidneys are diagnostic.
How is ethylene glycol treated?
If the pet is known to have ingested ethylene glycol or antifreeze within one-to-two hours, and can be treated immediately; the veterinarian will make the pet vomit and will flush the stomach with water and activated charcoal. This procedure is of little benefit after the one-to-two hour time period. After two hours, drug therapy (antidotes) can be given intravenously (through the vein) and in an attempt to stop the affects of the poison on the body. If the pet is in kidney failure, antidotes will not be effective. Treatment may include fluid therapy, diuretics, or peritoneal dialysis. The body temperature of cats tends to drop with ethylene glycol poisoning, so they need to be kept warm.
What is the prognosis for animals with ethylene glycol poisoning?
The prognosis (outcome) for animals with ethylene glycol poisoning varies. It depends on the length of time between ingestion of the ethylene glycol and treatment, the species (dog or cat) involved, and the speed of diagnosis and initiation of treatment. Complete recovery may be expected in dogs treated within five hours of ingestion using intravenous drugs. Most dogs will recover if treatment is initiated as late as eight hours after ingestion. Outcome for cats is good if treatment is started within three hours of ingestion. The outcome is poor in animals that have progressed to kidney failure.
Ethylene glycol is a highly toxic substance. Antifreeze without ethylene glycol is available; antifreeze products containing propylene glycol are relatively nontoxic.
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