Alcohol toxicity in pets

substance: Ethanol

categories:

symptoms:

Abdominal pain / Ataxia / Behavioral changes / Bradycardia / Disorientation / Lethargy / Respiratory failure / Seizures / Vomiting

# Description

In veterinary cases, ethanol ingestion often occurs accidentally through the consumption of alcohol (e.g. vodka, beer, wine, whiskey), raw bread dough, fermented garbage, uncooked pizza dough, rotten apples, or various household products. Products with high ethanol content include alcoholic beverages, mouthwashes, perfumes and colognes, and hand sanitizers. Symptoms vary from ataxia, lethargy, and sedation along with hypothermia and metabolic acidosis to excessive gas, bloating and vomiting if fermented bread was ingested.

# Toxicity

all

Lethal 5.5< g/kg

# How it works

Short-term consumption of ethanol impairs brain function by disrupting the balance between inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmission. Ethanol enhances the activity of the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, competitively inhibits the binding of glycine at the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor and stimulates release of other inhibitory neurotransmitters, such as dopamine and serotonin. Additionally it can irritate mucous membranes and the eyes.

# Symptoms

Neurological: depression, ataxia, lethargy, sedation, recumbency, disorientation, vocalization, seizures, coma.
Gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, bloating and smell od alcohol grom mouth if fermented bread ingested.
Metabolic: acidosis, hypothermia
Cardiovascular: hypotension, tachykardia.
Respiratory: aspiration pneumonia, respiratory depression.

# Treatment

Alcohol is absorbed very quickly from the gastrointestinal tract, so emesis is not recommended, particularly due to the rapid onset of CNS depression and the risk of aspiration.

Gastric lavage should be considered if large amounts of content are present in the stomach of a symptomatic patient.

Activated charcoal is not recommended.

Rinse the affected skin with shampoo and water.

Fluid therapy should be administered to maintain hydration and electrolyte balance and to manage metabolic acidosis; the use of sodium bicarbonate may be considered.

If respiratory depression occurs, a cuffed endotracheal tube should be placed, and mechanical ventilation should be provided as needed.

# Prognosis

Contact veterinarian if an exposure has occurred or an animal is displaying unusual clinical signs.

Symptoms

Poisons