Ideally a pharmaceutical grade of ethanol should be used. This is achieved by administration of the preferred substrate: alcohol (ethanol). At 12-24 post exposure, cardiopulmonary signs develop, along with renal impairment and uraemia.Įthylene glycol itself has limited toxicity, but the products of its metabolism, glycoaldehyde, glycolic acid and oxalates, are extremely toxic and so treatment is aimed at blocking the action of alcohol dehydrogenase to prevent the formation of these toxic metabolites. These signs are non-specific and may be missed. The initial signs, usually present from 30 minutes onwards, include vomiting, ataxia, tachycardia and weakness. Cats who are late presenting are often too far along the toxicological time line to be saved, as renal failure has already occurred.

Given the small amount needed to cause problems, a puddle or spill of antifreeze represents a real hazard to animals, especially cats with their nocturnal ramblings and unobserved behaviours. The toxic dose for companion animals is alarmingly small (treatment is recommended for any amount ingested by cats, and 2ml/kg for dogs). Unsurprisingly, the VPIS sees an increase of antifreeze (which usually contains ethylene glycol) cases during the winter months, as motorists prepare their cars for the drop in temperatures.

Antifreeze antidote