Ethylene Glycol Poning Series Of Oxidation

Epistaxis and hemoglobinuria have also been seen in cattle that have ingested large doses of EG.

Signs of SLUD are most consistent with exposure to which of the following classes of chemicals.

Most intoxications are associated with ingestion of antifreeze, which is typically 95 EG.

These 95 commercial antifreeze preparations are diluted 50 with water when used in vehicle cooling systems.

The widespread availability of antifreeze, its sweet taste and small minimum lethal dose, and the lack of public awareness of the toxicity (ie, improper storage and disposal) contribute to the frequency of this intoxication.

In addition, antifreeze may be ingested by way of intentional poisoning or because it is the only available liquid in cold weather.

Other sources of EG include some heat-exchange fluids used in solar collectors and ice-rink freezing equipment and some brake and transmission fluids.

Cutaneous absorption from topical products that contain EG has been reported to cause toxicity in cats.

In colder climates, the incidence of EG intoxications is seasonal, with most cases occurring in the fall, winter, and early spring, when antifreeze is added to radiator fluid or when cooling systems are flushed.

Ethylene Glycol Poning Series Of Oxidation

Approximately 50 of ingested EG is excreted unchanged by the kidneys; however, a series of oxidation reactions in the liver and kidneys metabolize the remaining EG.

Toxic metabolites of EG cause severe metabolic acidosis and renal tubular epithelial damage.

The oxidation of glycolic acid to glyoxylic acid is the second rate-limiting step, which allows glycolic acid to accumulate, resulting in acidosis and nephrotoxicosis.

Glyoxylic acid is rapidly metabolized to formic acid, carbon dioxide, glycine, serine, and oxalate.

Oxalate is not further metabolized and is cytotoxic to the renal tubular epithelium and exacerbates the metabolic acidosis.

Oxalate also combines with calcium to form a soluble complex that is excreted via glomerular filtration.

Calcium oxalate crystals form within the lumina of tubules as water is reabsorbed from the glomerular filtrate and the pH decreases (smaller numbers of calcium oxalate crystals may also be observed in the adventitia of blood vessel walls throughout the body).

Dogs and cats exhibit vomiting due to GI irritation, polydipsia and polyuria, and neurologic signs (CNS depression, stupor, ataxia, knuckling, decreased withdrawal and righting reflexes).

Polydipsia occurs due to osmotic stimulation of the thirst center, and polyuria occurs due to an osmotic diuresis and decreased production and release of antidiuretic hormone.

As CNS depression increases in severity, dogs and cats drink less; however, the osmotic diuresis continues and results in dehydration.

Dogs may appear to transiently recover from these CNS signs 12 hr after ingestion.

Signs include lethargy, anorexia, dehydration, vomiting, diarrhea, oral ulcers, salivation, tachypnea, and possibly seizures or coma.

The kidneys are often swollen and painful on abdominal palpation.

Poultry may become drowsy, ataxic, dyspneic, and recumbent; torticollis, ruffled feathers, and watery droppings are also seen.

Cattle may become depressed, tachypneic, and ataxic, and develop paraparesis or recumbency.

Ethylene Glycol Poisoning