Ethylene Glycol Toxicosis in Dogs

Ethylene Glycol Toxicosis in Dogs

By: Dr. Anne Marie Manning

Section: Veterinary Care In-depth

Diagnosis In-depth

Veterinary care should include diagnostic tests and subsequent treatment recommendations. Diagnostic tests are needed to recognize ethylene glycol toxicosis. These include:

  • A complete medical history and physical examination to determine if exposure to ethylene glycol or other toxins has occurred. Unfortunately, in many cases the owner is not aware that the pet has consumed ethylene glycol and first recognizes the non-specific signs of severe acute kidney failure such as lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting.

  • An chemical test to detect ethylene glycol in the blood. The test is only accurate if performed within 6 to 12 hours of ingestion.

  • Urinalysis to evaluate for dilute urine, casts, and calcium oxalate crystals, which appear in the urine within 3 to 5 hours of ethylene glycol ingestion.
    Failure to identify calcium oxalate crystals in the urine does not rule out the possibility of ethylene glycol poisoning because crystal formation may cease within a few days of poisoning.

  • Venous blood gas analysis to identify severe acidosis (low blood pH) characteristic of early ethylene glycol poisoning.

  • Serum biochemistry tests to evaluate for low blood calcium concentration (hypocalcemia) that may occur soon after ethylene glycol ingestion. Abnormal kidney function tests, like high blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, and serum phosphorus, will be observed if acute kidney failure has developed between 12 and 72 hours after ingestion of ethylene glycol. Serum biochemistry tests also help identify electrolyte disturbances, like abnormal blood sodium, potassium, and chloride concentrations, and help evaluate other organ systems, for example liver function and pancreas function, which will help your veterinarian eliminate other diagnostic possibilities.

  • A calculation called the "osmolal gap," if your veterinarian suspects recent ethylene glycol poisoning. A high osmolal gap raises suspicion that a large amount of ethylene glycol metabolites are present in the blood.

  • An ultrasound examination and ultrasound-guided kidney biopsy for diagnosis if the pet is presented in kidney failure. The ultrasound examination typically shows very bright kidneys with ethylene glycol poisoning. A biopsy is recommended to confirm the diagnosis of acute kidney failure due to ethylene glycol poisoning because of the extensive treatment required and the poor prognosis.

    •  
    Printable Version
     
    Have a Pet Question?
    Review the Most Frequent Questions
    Answered by Dr. Jon and His Staff of Veterinarians
    Ask Dr. Jon
    Dr. Jon's Newsletter
    Yes! Send Me the Latest Health Information, Pet Tips, Pet Stories and more...
     
     

    Related Articles

    • 1 Urolithiasis-Calcium Oxalate in Dogs

      Calcium oxalate uroliths, also referred to as calculi, are stones within the urinary tract composed of the mineral calcium oxalate. Clinical symptoms depend on the size and number or uroliths as well as...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2 Acute Renal (Kidney) Failure in Dogs

      The kidneys filter blood, remove the waste products of metabolism, and eliminate them in the urine. Acute kidney failure (acute renal failure or ARF) is characterized by an abrupt decline in kidney function...

      Read MoreRead More
    Related Articles
    • 1Acute Renal (Kidney) Failure in Dogs

      The kidneys filter blood, remove the waste products of metabolism, and eliminate them in the urine. Acute kidney failure (acute renal failure or ARF) is characterized by an abrupt decline in kidney function...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2Urolithiasis-Calcium Oxalate in Dogs

      Calcium oxalate uroliths, also referred to as calculi, are stones within the urinary tract composed of the mineral calcium oxalate. Clinical symptoms depend on the size and number or uroliths as well as...

      Read MoreRead More
     

    Over 10,000 Veterinarian Approved Articles

    Dogs & Puppies
    Cats
    Related Articles
    • 1Acute Renal (Kidney) Failure in Dogs

      The kidneys filter blood, remove the waste products of metabolism, and eliminate them in the urine. Acute kidney failure (acute renal failure or ARF) is characterized by an abrupt decline in kidney function...

      Read MoreRead More
    • 2Urolithiasis-Calcium Oxalate in Dogs

      Calcium oxalate uroliths, also referred to as calculi, are stones within the urinary tract composed of the mineral calcium oxalate. Clinical symptoms depend on the size and number or uroliths as well as...

      Read MoreRead More