English Deutsch Français Italiano Español Português 繁體中文 Bahasa Indonesia Tiếng Việt ภาษาไทย
All categories

What are some of the side effects of accidentally ingesting antifreeze?

2007-11-27 15:18:32 · 15 answers · asked by tybeehatteras 1 in Health Other - Health

15 answers

Alternative Names ..ethylene glycol poisoning. Defintion..Ethylene glycol is a common ingredient in antifreeze and windshield de-icer. If eaten or swallowed, it is poisonous.Ethylene glycol is very toxic. Every year, many people and animals are accidentally poisoned by ethylene glycol.

The signs and symptoms of ethylene glycol poisoning are similar to alcohol intoxication. The first sign is slurred speech and a somewhat high feeling. Vomiting may occur. Later the central nervous system may become depressed, and coma can result. Congestive heart failure and fluids in and around the lungs may occur in later stages. The kidneys may stop working and death is possible. Eating or drinking ethylene glycol causes poisoning. Ethylene glycol is found in antifreeze and windshield de-icer and in other products. It tastes a very sweet and pets and children can ingest it by accident. Small amounts can be toxic.

Laboratory exams done at the emergency room will test for too much acid in the blood. This condition is called metabolic acidosis. Certain crystals will also be found in the blood. Many antifreezes have a dye added to them. A black lamp will show this dye in the urine. There is also a test for ethylene glycol.

Long-term effects depend on the amount of ethylene glycol swallowed and how much time goes by before treatment is started. Kidney failure, congestive heart failure, heart damage and death can occur.

What are the treatments for the condition? Upon arrival at the emergency room, sodium bicarbonate may be given to correct the acidosis of the blood. The stomach may be pumped and cleaned if no more than 30 minutes have passed since swallowing. The medication fomepizole (i.e., Antizol, an antidote) may be given through an intravenous line into the arm. Some drugs can help change some of the toxic byproducts in the body. Dialysis may be done in cases of severe poisoning and if heart or kidney failure is likely. An individual can die from ethylene glycol poisoning. There can also be kidney failure and congestive heart failure that lingers after recovery. The healthcare professional can monitor ethylene glycol levels and kidney function in individuals who have been poisoned with ethylene glycol.

2007-11-27 15:52:03 · answer #1 · answered by Duckie 2 · 1 1

Symptoms of antifreeze poisoning include a drunken appearance including staggering, lack of coordination, and apparent disorientation and vomiting. The animal may appear listless and depressed. Because early signs of antifreeze poisoning often mimic signs of other illness, neither you or your veterinarian may suspect antifreeze poisoning until it is too late. Fortunately, in house lab tests performed by your veterinarian by assist in the diagnosis of antifreeze toxicity.
Getting the dog to a veterinarian is critical within the first 9-12 hours following ingestion. After that length of time, the liver will have already begun metabolizing the ethylene glycol into substances that cause kidney failure and ultimately death. I have been asked the question by several people-What should be done immediately care for my pet. Should I induce vomiting or give activated charcoal to my pet? These are very short term fixes and not a cure. The faster your pet is treated by a veterinarian the better the chances of recovery. Again, this poison is extremely toxic.

2007-11-27 15:27:04 · answer #2 · answered by catehokte1 4 · 1 0

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
Anti-Freeze poinsoning???
What are some of the side effects of accidentally ingesting antifreeze?

2015-08-05 23:15:53 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Antifreeze Poisoning In Humans

2016-10-06 10:24:58 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

Go to hospital-NOW.
Drinking ethylene glycol will result in depression followed by heart and breathing difficulty, kidney failure, brain damage and even death. Used antifreeze may also contain metals, such as copper, zinc, and lead. Two ounces of ethylene glycol antifreeze can kill a dog, one teaspoon can be lethal to a cat, and two tablespoons can be hazardous to children. When ingested, ethylene glycol converts to oxalic acid which damages the kidneys and can cause kidney failure and death.

Death by antifreeze poisoning often begins with a deceptive intoxication. As ethylene glycol—the sweet, syrupy toxin found in antifreeze—is absorbed into the bloodstream, it produces that tipsiness and slurred speech one might enjoy from a stiff cocktail. But the similarities end there.

About 24 hours later, a searing headache develops, followed by nausea, dizziness, hyperventilation and delusions. The body's survival instincts kick in with vomiting and diarrhea—a futile attempt to expel the deadly poison. If an antidote is not administered quickly, death from acute kidney failure, heart attack or coma inevitably follows.

2007-11-27 15:27:41 · answer #5 · answered by Scooter 3 · 1 0

1

2017-03-01 02:17:47 · answer #6 · answered by Stephen 3 · 0 0

It's extremely poisonous - even in small amounts. if you know someone who has ingested antifreeze, you should take them to a hospital emergency room immediately.

2007-11-27 15:27:57 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

antifreeze poinsoning

2016-01-26 03:31:56 · answer #8 · answered by ? 4 · 0 0

Two tablespoons can be hazardous to children, when ingested, ethylene glycol converts to oxalic acid which damages the kidneys and can cause kidney failure and death.

2007-11-27 15:23:36 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

Usually says on a bottel that you might have injested it on, call poison controll center and ask them if you did swallow it because odds are your gona get sick.

2007-11-27 15:21:19 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

fedest.com, questions and answers