Abstract
Ethylene glycol (anti-freeze) toxicity is a serious emergency in both veterinary and human medicine. Ethylene glycol (E/G) is the active anti-freeze principle in radiator water additives. It is odourless, colourless and has a sweet taste. As little as 5 ml or 20 ml is sufficient to kill a cat or a dog, respectively. Ethylene glycol is rapidly absorbed and metabolised in the liver to oxalate, which is deposited as calcium oxalate in the kidneys causing irreversible damage. This report describes 2 dogs that were suspected to have ingested ethylene glycol. The report contains a description of the 3 stages of ethylene glycol toxicity as well as a short discussion of the treatment. Public awareness about the dangers of anti-freeze will help in limiting exposure of pets and humans to this potentially fatal toxin. Veterinarians need to be aware of anti-freeze toxicity as delayed recognition and treatment will lead to the death of the patient.
Highlights
Ethylene glycol (E/G) is a serious emergency in both veterinary and human medicine
Ethylene glycol (E/G) toxicity in dogs has never been reported in South Africa
In South Africa many people are unaware of the danger posed by anti-freeze in radiator fluid
Summary
Ethylene glycol (E/G) is a serious emergency in both veterinary and human medicine. It is the main ingredient of radiator fluid and is responsible for antifreeze toxicity in dogs and cats[2]. Ethylene glycol is an alcohol and most of the clinical signs seen during this stage may resemble alcohol toxicity[2,9,14]. Most of the clinical signs of the 1st stage would have resolved and some animals only exhibit tachycardia and tachnypoea These clinical signs are due to the high levels of glycolate in the blood causing severe metabolic acidosis. Ethylene glycol toxicity in dogs has aSmall Animal Medicine, bClinical Pathology: Department of Companion Animal Clinical Studies, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X04, Onderstepoort, 0110 South Africa. (2005) 76(2): 116–119 never been reported in South Africa The aim of this case report is to inform South African veterinarians of the clinical signs and treatment of anti-freeze toxicity. This case report describes the clinical signs, treatment and outcome of 2 dogs in South Africa that were suspected to have ingested anti-freeze
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