Antifreeze Poisoning in Dogs

Ethylene glycol is a sweet and odorless liquid found in antifreeze products used in vehicles. Besides antifreeze, windshield defrosters, hydraulic brake fluid, engine oil, paints, solvents, printer inks, and photo processing solutions also contain small amounts of ethylene glycol. Antifreeze poisoning in dogs is surprisingly common. It is thought that the sweet taste of antifreeze attracts dogs. Many animals become poisoned by licking antifreeze spilled in garages, on pavements, or leaking from vehicles. Ethylene glycol is a chemical that dogs tolerate very poorly. Therefore, even very small amounts can lead to poisoning. In dogs, even consuming as little as one teaspoon per kilogram of body weight is fatal. Symptoms of Antifreeze Poisoning in Dogs There are three different stages of antifreeze poisoning in dogs. Poisoning begins immediately after ingestion of antifreeze and the damage to the body continues to increase. The first stage of poisoning is the first half hour after ingestion of ethylene glycol. During this period, symptoms such as fatigue, vomiting, impaired coordination, excessive urination, excessive thirst, hypothermia, seizures, and coma are observed. The second stage of poisoning is the 12-24 hour period after ingestion of antifreeze. During this period, the symptoms of poisoning improve significantly, and the dog appears to have regained its health. Dog owners are most often mistaken at this point. In this stage, the dog becomes increasingly dehydrated, and its heart rate and breathing become rapid.

Symptoms of Antifreeze Poisoning in Dogs

There are three different stages of antifreeze poisoning in dogs. Poisoning begins immediately after ingestion of antifreeze and the damage to the body continues to increase. The first stage of poisoning occurs within the first half hour after ingestion of ethylene glycol. During this period, symptoms such as fatigue, vomiting, impaired coordination, excessive urination, excessive thirst, hypothermia, seizures, and coma are observed.

The second phase of poisoning occurs 12-24 hours after ingesting antifreeze. During this period, poisoning symptoms improve significantly, and the dog appears to regain its health. Dog owners are most often mistaken at this point. In this phase, the dog becomes increasingly dehydrated, and its heart rate and breathing become rapid.

The third stage of poisoning occurs 36-72 hours later. In this stage, the kidneys are severely damaged. The kidneys are more swollen than normal and cause a lot of pain, and urine production is almost zero. Antifreeze poisoning in the third stage causes depression, loss of appetite, seizures, and coma. As the poisoning progresses, it is usually fatal.

If experimental ethylene glycol poisoning is suspected in dogs, it is necessary to go to a veterinarian immediately. Every minute lost seriously endangers the dog's life. In cases of antifreeze poisoning, no time should be wasted, and treatment should begin immediately. The dog should be treated within the first 8-12 hours of antifreeze poisoning. Antidotes used for antifreeze poisoning are effective for a very short time. If left untreated, antifreeze poisoning can be fatal to a dog.

How is Antifreeze Poisoning Diagnosed?

The most reliable way to diagnose antifreeze poisoning is through a blood test. This makes it possible to determine whether antifreeze is present in the blood. However, it may not be possible to perform blood tests for antifreeze poisoning every hour. Nevertheless, test kits that detect the presence of ethylene glycol in the blood can also be used. However, these test kits do not provide results as accurate as blood tests. Chemicals with a similar chemical structure to ethylene glycol, such as propylene glycol, glycerol, mannitol, sorbitol, or isopropyl alcohol, can also cause a positive ethylene glycol test result. If the test is performed too late, the peak level of ethylene glycol in the blood may be missed, leading to a false negative result. The period when ethylene glycol levels are highest in the blood is the first 1-6 hours after intoxication. If more time has passed since the poisoning, the amount of ethylene glycol in the blood will be too low to be detected by the test kit.

Antifriz Zehirlenmesi Tedavisi

The success of antifreeze poisoning treatment depends entirely on timing. Taking the dog to a veterinarian immediately after ingesting antifreeze ensures its survival and recovery. If the antifreeze is still in the stomach, the dog should be made to vomit by a veterinarian. This removes all the stomach contents from the body. Afterwards, an antidote is used to prevent the body from processing ethylene glycol. This treatment is only effective within a few hours of poisoning.

Due to ethylene glycol consumption, the amount of acid in the blood increases. To prevent this, sodium bicarbonate is administered intravenously. The first four hours after ingestion are crucial. After four hours, kidney function gradually begins to deteriorate. In such cases, attempts are usually made to restore the body's electrolyte and pH balance. This treatment works for some dogs but fails for others.

Antifreeze poisoning is a very serious condition for dogs, but those who start receiving timely treatment have a very high chance of survival.