Ethylene glycol toxicosis in 39 sport horses following ingestion of contaminated water: A case report.
Abstract: Ethylene glycol toxicosis is a common occurrence in dogs and cats but has been reported in other species as well. Up to date, only one case of ethylene glycol toxicosis has been described in horses, and specific guidelines for treating ethylene glycol intoxication in this species are not available. Here we describe the case of 39 sport horses that ingested water contaminated with ethylene glycol. The main clinical sign was apathy, but more severely affected individuals also developed abdominal pain and laminitis. Treatment was initiated around 24 h after the exposure, using ethanol as an antidote, which was administered initially through a nasogastric tube and subsequently via perfusion. Five horses required hospitalization, but all 39 horses recovered. Based on biochemical measurements performed at different timepoints, we proposed several markers that can be used to determine the need for specialized care early on during the treatment.
Copyright © 2025. Published by Elsevier Inc.
Publication Date: 2025-01-02 PubMed ID: 39755182DOI: 10.1016/j.jevs.2025.105343Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research article discusses a case where 39 sport horses ingested water contaminated with ethylene glycol, a substance typically poisonous to many animals. The study details the symptoms experienced by the horses, the treatment given, and suggests potential markers for early detection and intervention of ethylene glycol poisoning in horses.
Clinical Signs and Symptoms
The horses displayed various symptoms following ingestion of the contaminated water. These included:
- Apathy being the primary sign, as observed in all the horses.
- A more severe reaction in some horses included abdominal pain and laminitis, a serious disease that affects the horse’s hooves.
Treatment and Recovery
Given the absence of specific guidelines for treating ethylene glycol intoxication in horses, the following treatment approach was taken:
- Treatment commenced approximately 24 hours post-exposure.
- Ethanol was used as an antidote. This was initially given through a nasogastric tube and then later by perfusion.
- Five of the horses required hospitalization due to the severity of their reactions.
- However, all 39 horses eventually recovered from the poisoning.
Early Detection Markers
Based on the case, the study suggests several biochemical markers that could potentially be used to detect ethylene glycol poisoning in horses early. Early detection would allow for prompt intervention and treatment, potentially mitigating the severity of symptoms and complications.
- The research did not specify which biochemical measurements were analyzed or what the proposed markers are. More comprehensive reading or access to the full text of the research article would be needed to determine these specifics.
Cite This Article
APA
Daradics Z, Bungărdean D, Lupșan AF, Popescu M, Bulmez O, Ciulu-Angelescu V, Chelaru VF, Morar I, Mircean M, Cătoi C, Tripon MA, Crecan CM.
(2025).
Ethylene glycol toxicosis in 39 sport horses following ingestion of contaminated water: A case report.
J Equine Vet Sci, 145, 105343.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jevs.2025.105343 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Mănăştur St. 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania.
- Department of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Mănăştur St. 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania.
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Mănăştur St. 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Mănăştur St. 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania.
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Veterinary Gynecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Mănăştur St. 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania.
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Mănăştur St. 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania.
- RoNeuro Institute for Neurological Research and Diagnostic, Mircea Eliade St. 37, 400354 Cluj-Napoca, Romania; Faculty of Medicine, "Iuliu Hațieganu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Victor Babeș St. 8, 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania.
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Veterinary Gynecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Mănăştur St. 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania.
- Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Mănăştur St. 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania.
- Department of Pathology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Mănăştur St. 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania.
- Department of Reproduction, Obstetrics and Veterinary Gynecology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Mănăştur St. 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania. Electronic address: mirela.tripon@usamvcluj.ro.
- Department of Anesthesiology and Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agricultural Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, Mănăştur St. 3-5, Cluj-Napoca 400372, Romania.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Ethanol / therapeutic use
- Ethylene Glycol / poisoning
- Ethylene Glycol / toxicity
- Horse Diseases / chemically induced
- Horses
- Water Pollutants, Chemical / toxicity
Conflict of Interest Statement
Declaration of competing interest None of the authors has any financial or personal relationships that could inappropriately influence or bias the content of the paper.
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