Dee Dee was a 10 year old, female spayed Terrier mixed. She was presented to the clinic on a Monday morning, for not being able to get up. She had been lying around the day before, had difficulty walking, and may have vomited one time. The owner did not know if she had been eating and drinking. There was another younger dog at home named Big Boy (one year old pit-bull mix). He had vomited a couple of times two days prior — a bright green liquid.
When Dee Dee came in, she was in a coma. Dee Dee weighed 17 pounds, her temperature was 99.3 (normal body temperature for a dog is 101-102.5). Her heart rate and gum color were normal. She had unequal pupils, and had no reflexes at all in her legs. She was also dehydrated. The owner had her vaccinated for rabies two weeks prior. According to the owner, Dee Dee had not been exposed to any trauma or toxins (at least none that she was aware of).
According to the owner, Dee Dee had been diagnosed with arthritis about five years earlier and did not think anything of her walking abnormally.
The possible diagnoses for Dee Dee’s condition based on physical exam were: Various neurologic diseases: GME, toxoplasmosis, meningitis, herniated disc, tumor, toxins or trauma.
More diagnostics were needed to figure out what was wrong with Dee Dee. Blood work was obtained for a CBC/profile. This was to check for signs of infection, liver kidney disease, and electrolyte abnormalities. While blood was being drawn, Dee Dee had a seizure, and valium was given to stop it. An IV catheter was placed and Dee Dee was started on IV fluids, to counteract the dehydration, and placed on a heating pad to try and bring her body temperature back to normal. We wanted to get urine on Dee Dee but her bladder was empty. X-rays were taken to confirm that her bladder was very small.
Blood work results were as follows:
- Kidney values
- BUN (blood urea nitrogen) >130 Normal 7.0-27
- Creatine >13.6 Normal 0.5- 1.8
- Electrolytes available
- Phosphorus >16.1 Normal 2.5-6.8
- Calcium was low at 6.8 Normal 7.9-12.0
The rest of the profile & CBC were normal.
Based on these results it was obvious that Dee Dee had kidney failure. It was suspected based on the history of the other dog that it was possible that Dee Dee and Big Boy drank antifreeze.
Upon further questioning of the owner, we found out that her mother’s water pump went out on her car on Friday and leaked antifreeze in the driveway. (three days before Dee Dee’s admission into the clinic.) The prognosis for Dee Dee’s recovery was grave due to the time lapse between the ingestion of the antifreeze and presentation. Because of the time lapse it was too late of give an antidote and kidney damage was already done.
Dee Dee was treated with IV fluids throughout the day. Once antifreeze toxicity was confirmed, two different diuretics were administered to try and get Dee Dee’s kidneys to work.
During the day she received 1.5 liters of fluid and did not urinate. Dee Dee had received more than her daily requirement of fluids and normally would have urinated at least once during the day. The owner wanted to treat her overnight to see if there would be any improvement. It was advised to bring the other dog in immediately even though he didn’t act as sick as Dee Dee.
Dee Dee survived overnight with no change. Because of Dee Dee’s condition and grave prognosis she was euthanized.
Big Boy was presented on Tuesday, the day after Dee Dee came in. Blood work was performed on him as well with similar results.
- Kidney Values
- BUN >130
- Creatnine 8.13
- Electrolytes
- Phosphorus >16.10
Because of the kidney failure & guarded prognosis Big Boy was also euthanized.
This is very unfortunated to have this happen to two dogs in the same family for several reasons: First, to lose 2 dogs; and secondly, because if this was caught early enough, Dee Dee and Big Boy could have been treated.
If antifreeze toxicity is caught within the first 12 hours a test can be done to confirm intoxication. If caught with in the first 12-14 hours an antidote can be given. Once kidney failure starts due to crystals forming in the kidneys it is too late.
(This was an actual case history from a local veterinary clinic actively affiliated with the Hillsborough Animal Health Foundation.)
