ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center offers antifreeze facts for veterinary staff.

Who:

The ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center (NAPCC), an operating division of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). The NAPCC is a unique, emergency hotline providing 24-hour-a-day, 7-day-a-week telephone assistance. The Center is staffed by veterinary health professionals, is a member of the American Association of Poison Control Centers and is an allied agency of the University of Illinois.

The following is information that may be helpful for veterinary staff when treating antifreeze poisoning in dogs and cats.

¦ Ethylene glycol is the most dangerous form of antifreeze.

¦ Most commercial antifreeze products contain between 95-97% ethylene glycol.

¦ The minimum lethal dose of undiluted ethylene glycol antifreeze is 4.4-6.6ml/kg in dogs and 1.4ml/kg in cats.

¦ In most cases of ethylene glycol poisonings, the animal begins vomiting within the first few hours and then within 1-6 hours signs of depression, ataxia, weakness, tachypnea, polyuria, and polydipsia are seen. By 18-36 hours acute renal failure occurs.

¦ Ethylene glycol tests can be ran as early as 30 minutes post ingestion.

¦ Commercial kits may not be sensitive enough to diagnose a toxicosis in the cat since they can have a toxicosis at lower levels.

¦ Propylene glycol (found in some injection solutions and also present in some forms of activated charcoal) and formaldehyde can also give a positive test result.

For consultation services: ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center, 1-888-4ANI-HELP

For more tips visit: http://www.napcc.aspca.org .

To receive a free hotline information packet : email jar@napcc.aspca.org  or call 217-337-5030 ext #115