Ethylene glycol intoxication in a pregnant cat and a tomcat. Case report

Abstract

Clinical cases of two cats, poisoned with ethylene glycol: one tomcat and a pregnant female in the last quarter of gestation, are presented. Cats were reared outdoor. The history included a sudden weakness, inappetence, lethargy and repeated vomiting in both animals. Physical examination showed reduced skin elasticity, hypothermia (37.3 С° and 37.8 С°), hyporeflexia, pale mucous coats. Blood biochemical changes comprised hyperglycaemia (7.74 and 10.1 mmol/L), hyperphosphataemia (6.3 and 5.67 mmol/L), increased urea (66.6 and 68.2 mmol/L) and creatinine concentrations (1408 and 918 µmol/L). Ultrasound examination showed severely increased corticomedullary echogenicity of kidneys, including foetal kidneys. Blood sample obtained post mortem from foetuses was characterised with dramatically increased phosphate (11.3 mmol/L), urea (66.2 mmol/L) and creatinine concentrations (642 µmol/L). Foetal urine had abundant calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals. Such crystals were present also in histological preparations from kidneys of both adult cats and foetuses.

Keywords

• cat
• ethylene glycol
• poisoning
• pregnancy