Antifreeze toxicity

Antifreeze, which contains ethylene glycol, is extremely dangerous to dogs and cats. Sources of ethylene glycol include automotive antifreeze (radiator coolant, which typically contains 95% ethylene glycol), windshield deicing agents, motor oils, hydraulic brake fluid, developing solutions for photography, paints, solvents, etc. As little as a tablespoon can result in severe acute kidney failure in dogs, while as little as 1 teaspoon can be fatal to cats. When dogs or cats are exposed to ethylene glycol, immediate treatment is necessary!  Please call the Village Veterinary Clinic of Hamburg right away, this is an emergency!

Signs include:

Drunkenness, Excessive thirst or urination, Vomiting, Panting, Sedation, Coma, Acute kidney failure, even death

Three stages of poisoning can be seen with ethylene glycol:

Stage 1: This occurs within 30 minutes to 12 hours, and looks similar to alcohol poisoning. Signs of walking drunk, drooling, vomiting, seizing, and excessive thirst and urination may be seen.

Stage 2: This occurs within 12-24 hours after ingestion.  Clinical signs seem to be going away, when in fact more severe internal injury is still occurring.

Stage 3: In cats, this stage occurs 12-24 hours after ethylene glycol exposure. In dogs, this stage occurs 36-72 hours post-ingestion. During this stage, severe acute kidney failure is occurring. Signs of inappetence, lethargy, drooling, halitosis (secondary to kidney failure), coma, depression, vomiting, and seizures may be seen.

There is an antidote for ethylene glycol poisoning.  There is a critical time that this must be given, it needs to be administered 8-12 post ingestion.  In cats they must receive the antidote within 3 hours.  After the 3 hours, the poisoning is typically fatal.  Aggressive therapy is necessary to survive.   If your pet has ingested antifreeze call the Village Veterinary Clinic of Hamburg immediately!