Propylene glycol toxicosis in a mare.

This research focuses on an instance where a horse (mare) was accidentally given an overdose of propylene glycol, leading to severe health issues like depression and ataxia, but was eventually treated successfully.

Understanding the Roles of Propylene Glycol and Mineral Oil

• Propylene glycol and mineral oil are often used in veterinary medicine. Propylene glycol is typically administered to treat bovine ketosis, a metabolic disorder in cows, while mineral oil is used to treat equine impactions in horses (a digestive disorder where feed becomes clogged in the colon).

The Incident of Propylene Glycol Overdose

• The research discusses a case where a horse was mistakenly given a high dosage of propylene glycol. The dose, which amounted to 6.0 ml per kg of the horse’s body weight, led to negative health outcomes. In this case, the horse displayed severe symptoms like depression, ataxia (lack of muscle control), malodorous breath, and feces.

Effects of Propylene Glycol Toxicosis

• Severe depression in horses leads to lack of energy, indifference to surroundings, a decrease in social interactions, and changes in sleep patterns.
• Ataxia leads to uncoordinated movements, staggering, noticeable sway, or even an inability to stand. This indicates damage to parts of the nervous system that control coordination and balance.
• The malodorous breath and feces are indicative of internal health issues, possibly metabolic alterations attributed to the propylene glycol overdose.

Recovery from Propylene Glycol Toxicosis

• Despite the severity of the symptoms, the article indicates that with appropriate medical intervention, the toxicity from the propylene glycol overdose can be treated successfully. However, the specifics of the treatment procedure are not detailed in the abstract.