Ethylene Glycol Toxicity

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Introduction

Ethylene Glycol is a sweet tasting fluid that is the main constituent of anti-freeze products.[1]. Consequently in northern hemishpere ethylene glycol toxicity is frequently encountered in practice. It has a relatively low minimum lethal dose, and its sweet, palatable taste makes it attractive to dogs, cats and other small animals. [1], [2],[3]


Signalment

  • Dogs: all ages, both sexes, following intoxication lower incidence of fatalities in dogs compared to cats [1]
  • Cats: all ages, both sexes
  • Birds
  • Other including pigs and cattle [1]

Diagnosis

Clinical Signs

Severity of clinicals signs is inversely proportional to amount ingested. Time post-ingestion is also important.[3].

  • Dogs: Ataxia, mild to severe increasing depression and other neurological signs, tachycardia, tachypnoea, polydypsia, polyuria, dehydration, anorexia, emesis, miosis, hypothermia
    • if untreated coma and death, or if lesser amount ingested oliguric renal failure within 2 to 7 days after ingestion .[3], [1].
      • if untreated anuric renal failure
  • Cats: Ataxia, pronounced depression and other neurological signs, tachycardia, tachypnoea, polyuria, dehydration, anorexia, emesis, miosis [1],

[1].

    • coma and death if untreated, or if lesser amount ingested oliguric renal failure within 1 day after ingestion
      • if untreated anuric renal failure


Laboratory Tests

  • Metabolic Acidosis, increased serum osmolality, increased anion gap, decreased plasma bicarbonate concentration, decreased PCO2, decrease blood pH
  • increased urea and creatinine, hyperkalaemia,

Pathology

Treatment

Ethylene Glycol is a weak acid. Therefore in order to increase the rate of renal clearance sodium bicarbonate can be administered to dogs. Intravenous administration of sodium bicarbonate at a concentration of 1-2 mmol/kg every 3 to 6 hours achieves sufficient alkalinisation of the urine.[4]

Prognosis

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 The 5-Minute Veterinary Consult, Canine and Feline, Lippencott, Williams and Wilkins Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "multiple" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "multiple" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "multiple" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "multiple" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "multiple" defined multiple times with different content Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; name "multiple" defined multiple times with different content
  2. Feline Medicine and Therapeutics
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 http://www.merckvetmanual.com/mvm/index.jsp?cfile=htm/bc/210900.htm, accessed on 31.10.2010
  4. Canine Medicine and Therapeutics (Fourth Edition, 1998),Blackwell Science, p1049