Ethylene glycol poisoning

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Sections available in full article Introduction, Presenting signs, Age predisposition, Pathogenesis, Etiology, Pathophysiology, Timecourse (incubation, duration), Diagnosis, Presenting problems, Client history, Clinical signs, Diagnostic investigation, Confirmation of diagnosis, Gross autopsy findings, Histopathology findings, Differential diagnosis, Treatment, Initial symptomatic treatment, Standard treatment, Monitoring, Sequelae, Prognosis, Expected response to treatment, Reasons for treatment failure, Sources, Publications, Vetstream contributor(s),
Contributors Dr Dawn Ruben DVM
Dr MarkThompson DVM DipABVP
Synonyms Antifreeze poisoning

Introduction

  • One of the most common poisonings.
  • Highly palatable, drunk willingly, especially if no other water sources available.
  • Signs : vomiting, ataxia, polydipsia.
  • Treatment : ethanol, supportive fluid therapy, 4-methyl pyrazole.
  • Cause : antifreeze poisoning.
  • Diagnosis : signs, history, urinalysis, serum chemistry, commercial test kit.
  • Prognosis : guarded if delayed presentation.

Diagnosis

Clinical signs

  • Dehydration.
  • Hypothermia.
  • Tachycardia.
  • Dyspnea/hyperventilation → respiratory and cardiac failure.
  • Seizures.
  • Coma.

Diagnosis

Differential diagnosis

  • Other causes of acute renal failure (ARF) Kidney: acute renal failure.
  • Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) Diabetic ketoacidosis.

  • Pancreatitis Pancreatitis: acute.
  • Gastroenteritis Vomiting.

Sequelae

Prognosis

  • Usually poor as treatment often sought late.
  • Fair if treatment begun within 12 h of ingestion.

Expected response to treatment

  • Resolution of clinical signs.
  • Improvement in renal output.

Reasons for treatment failure

  • Treatment often sought late → poor prognosis.

Sources

Publications

Refereed papers

  • Gaynor A R et al(1999) Acute Ethylene Glycol Intoxication. Part II. Diagnosis, Treatment, Prognosis and Prevention. Comp Contin Educ Pract Vet 21 (12), 1124-1133.
  • Thrall M A et al(1998) Advances in therapy for antifreeze poisoning. Calif Vet 52 , 18-22.
  • Murphy M J (1994) Toxin exposure in dogs and cats - drugs and household products. JAVMA 205 , 557-560.
  • Crisp M S et al(1989) Peritoneal dialysis in dogs and cats - 27 cases (1976-1987). JAVMA 195 , 1262-1266.

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