Ethylene Glycol

Pathology in Practice

“…Hyperglycemia detected in the cat of the present report may be explained by inhibition of glucose metabolism secondary to the production of aldehyde-based metabolites, acidemia-induced insulin resistance, uremia, or glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis (the latter 2 processes resulting from pain-or stress-induced release of epinephrine and corticosteroids, respectively 4,5 ). In animals with ethylene glycol toxicosis, CNS signs can be attributed to the actions of the aldehyde-based metabolites, hyperosmolality, and metabolic acidosis.…”

“…Ethylene glycol toxicosis resulting from antifreeze consumption is the second most common fatal intoxication of small animals, 4 with a case fatality rate ranging from 78% to 96% for cats and 44% to 70% for dogs. 5 The reported minimum lethal dose of undiluted ethylene glycol is 1.5 mL/kg (0.68 mL/lb) 6 for cats and 4.4 to 6.6 mL/kg (2 to 3 mL/lb) for dogs.…”

“…Upon binding calcium, the oxalic acid formed during ethylene glycol metabolism precipitates as calcium oxalate in the kidneys and other tissues. 4,5 Calcium oxalate monohydrate crystalluria can develop in cats and dogs within several hours after ingestion of ethylene glycol. 5 Observation of calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals in a patient' s urine sample is suggestive of hypercalciuria or hyperoxaluria, which is quite helpful toward a diagnosis of ethylene glycol toxicosis; unfortunately, a urine sample from the cat of the present report was not available for examination.…”

“…5 Although ethylene glycol poisoning has a high case fatality rate, animals may survive following early recognition of the toxicosis and timely medical intervention. Prognosis is considered good for cats and dogs when treatment is instituted within several hours after ethylene glycol consumption 4,12 but poor if patients are severely azotemic or have clinical signs of intoxication at the time of initial evaluation. 12 A definitive diagnosis can be made on the basis of results of chemical analysis of samples of gastric contents, serum, or urine.…”

Death by Caffeine: Presumptive Malicious Poisoning of a Dog by Incorporation in Ground Meat

“…Ethanol was chosen over fomepizole as an antidote to ethylene glycol due to cost considerations. The dose of ethanol administered to the patient followed a recommended guideline [14] and did not rapidly cause CNS depression, therefore ethanol was not considered to be a cause/factor of death in this dog. Side effects associated with ethanol administration include apnea and intravascular hemolysis [15].…”