Ethylene Glycol Poisoning

Ethylene glycol can be found in automobile radiator antifreeze, other heat-exchange fluids, and home photographic developing solutions.

The lethal dose of 95% ethylene glycol (the concentration in commercial antifreeze) is about 6.6 ml per Kg (2.2 lbs. approx.) of weight in dogs.

Symptoms of toxicosis are in 3 phases:

Phase 1:     Early signs appear within one hour of exposure: drunken appearance and uncoordinated movements (ataxia.)  May be followed by a period without symptoms.

Phase 2:     May develop 12 to 24 hours after ingestion and is characterized by heart failure.

Phase 3:     Kidney failure, vomiting, depression, won't eat until coma and death. Occurs from 1 to 3 days after exposure.

What to do if you suspect this type of poisoning:

Provided that the animal can vomit safely, induce vomit with hydrogen  peroxide.  Or induce vomit with ipeca syrup (Ipecac) followed by activated charcoal in recent exposures, i.e., no more than 2 hours after ingestion.  Do not give activated charcoal with hydrogen peroxide.

Take your dog to your local vet as soon as possible
Unfortunately this type of poisoning is very common and life threatening, but most pets won't come in to see the Vet until they have developed kidney failure... your vet will be able to treat it effectively if it's soon enough.

Courtesy of 
Dolores Sanchez-Peņalver VMD, MHA
Madrid, Spain

Notes:
These are emergency treatments.  Always consult with your Vet, especially if you are unsure of the techniques and treatments.  And most especially if you are unfamiliar or uncomfortable with the procedure for esophageal tubing.

If inducing vomit with hydrogen peroxide, it should not be given simultaneously with activated charcoal.  If in doubt, it's best to consult with your local vet.

Doses for dogs:
Activated charcoal: 1-2 teaspoon. per 10-15 kg in 200 ml of water, should be administered via esophageal tubing.

Hydrogen peroxide: 3% diluted, from 5 to 15 ml administered orally; can be repeated every 5 minutes until desired effect.

Ipeca syrup (Ipecac): 1-2 ml (70-140mg) per kg. of body weight.