Common Disease Name:

Antifreeze Poisoning

Medical Term for Disease:

Ethylene Glycol Poisoning

Species Affected by Disease:

Dogs and cats

Age Animal Usually Affected:

Any

Commonly Affected Breeds:

Any

Sex Usually Affected:

Either

Disease Symptoms:

Excessive thirst and urination, lack of coordination, weakness, nausea, tremors, vomiting, rapid breathing and heart rate, convulsions, diarrhea, muscle twitching, head tremors, depression. Symptoms appear 30 minutes after ingestion and disappear about 12 hours later when the liver has metabolized the poison and dog may briefly appear to have recovered. However, the danger is just beginning. As ethylene glycol is metabolized, it causes irreversible damage. Kidney failure develops from 36-72 hours in dogs. Signs include severe lethargy or coma, seizures, vomiting, mouth ulcers, salivation, and lack of urine production with pain in the back where kidneys are located.

Method(s) of Diagnosis:

Symptoms and suspicion of ingestion. Laboratory testing and ultrasound at later stages.

Disease Causes:

Ingestion of antifreeze containing ethylene glycol.

Treatment:

This is an emergency! If within 1-2 hours of ingestion, induce vomiting and feed the dog activated charcoal to absorb the poison. It is best to take to a hospital right away for IV fluids and 4-methylpyrazole (4-MP) or ethanol, which helps prevent metabolism of ethylene glycol and formation of fatal crystals and toxins in the kidneys.

Prognosis:

Prognosis is excellent in dogs treated with 4-MP within 5 hours after ethylene glycol ingestion. Most dogs recover if treatment is initiated as late as 8 hours after ingestion. In dogs examined up to 36 hours after ingestion, preventing metabolism of any remaining unmetabolized ethylene glycol may be of benefit. Prognosis is poor in dogs with azotemia (high blood levels of urea, nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine) or who are not producing urine on examination. Animals < 6 months old with renal failure sometimes recover fully, unlike older animals. It is possible that the regenerative capacity of the kidneys is greater in young animals.

Complications:

Kidney failure and death. Permanent kidney damage in dogs that become azotemic (have kidney damage), but recover.

Prevention:

Be aware of the toxicity of ethylene glycol. It has a sweet taste, which attracts animals. Always clean up spills. Use an antifreeze product containing safe propylene glycol. A very small amount, 2-3 ml/lb, or about one teaspoon per 10 lbs. of body weight in dogs, can be a lethal dose.

Medicines Used for Treatment of Disease:

I.V. fluid therapy with antidote

Helpful Products:

Cat litter for cleaning spill, dog training to get the dog away from spill by calling them, and knowledge of what to do in an emergency.