Vodka and Ethylene Glycol

Re: Vodka and Ethylene Glycol

Dove — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:22:39 GMT

I've seen Gin given iv, I think the dog survived too.

Re: Vodka and Ethylene Glycol

Claire Cameron — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 19:25:13 GMT

[quote user="SmegSlayer"]

Also, i would imagine it's just a tiny amount of ethanol otherwise you'd kill the animal with ethanol overdose

[/quote]

See above for link re dosage etc.

Re: Vodka and Ethylene Glycol

Jen — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 17:45:51 GMT

Thanks Claire!

Re: Vodka and Ethylene Glycol

Claire Cameron — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 16:13:10 GMT

[quote user="SmegSlayer"]

I was going to say the same thing- surely anything you give i/v must be sterile, antib's or not. Also, i would imagine it's just a tiny amount of ethanol otherwise you'd kill the animal with ethanol overdose

[/quote]

I think it's last resort, either this or nothing though

Re: Vodka and Ethylene Glycol

Claire Cameron — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:49:00 GMT

[quote user="Jen"]

Hiya, this is a new one to me ! Does anyone know the does to use?

[/quote]

Hiya Jen

I'd contact VPIS for doses (020 7188 0200)

But found this on FAB

"Treatment
If cats are observed ingesting EG and examined rapidly ( less than one hour) then gastric decontamination with induction of emesis can be attempted. This is contraindicated if consciousness is reduced due to the risk of aspiration. Metabolism of EG can be inhibited by ethanol, which acts as a preferred substrate for the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase.

After 12 hours or once ARF has developed treatment with ethanol is unlikely to be effective and may complicate management of ARF. However, prior to the development of ARF then 20% medical ethanol can be administered IV at a dose of 5 ml/kg intravenously over 15 minutes and repeated every 6 hours for five treatments then every 8 hours for four treatments.

In an emergency, if medical ethanol is not available, plain vodka has been used, calculating the dose based on the alcohol content of the preparation. Alternatively a constant rate infusion of 1.25 ml/hr can be used for up to 72 hours to ensure EG elimination. Oral administration of other alcohol products (eg, vodka) is described but associated with severe gastrointestinal irritation and the risk of vomiting and aspiration in depressed patients. If used, patients should be constantly monitored for respiratory and central nervous system deterioration and electrolytes monitored regularly. "

http://www.fabcats.org/owners/poisons/anti-freeze(vets).html

Re: Vodka and Ethylene Glycol

Jen — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:37:12 GMT

Hiya, this is a new one to me ! Does anyone know the does to use?

Re: Vodka and Ethylene Glycol

Vicky RVN — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 20:02:21 GMT

I've heard of it but never seen it...unfortunately all the cases i've seen have been too far gone

Re: Vodka and Ethylene Glycol

Nick Shackleton — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 10:30:41 GMT

I used Vodka drip way back (c 8 years ago)! Can't remember if it worked or not!

Maybe VPIS will be able to give doses and that!

Re: Vodka and Ethylene Glycol

Caro Laithwaite VN — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 23:19:22 GMT

we used vodka as it was oral and easier to disguise the taste.

Re: Vodka and Ethylene Glycol

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:04:10 GMT

Any alcohol will do, i have heard of whiskey being used in Humans if they ingest it!

Re: Vodka and Ethylene Glycol

albatross — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 22:02:31 GMT

I read about this a few years ago, and seemed to remember that it could be IV or oral, but it needed to be within 3 hours of ingesting to be effective...and bearing in mind most cats who ingest it are shut in the garage overnight then it's not often tried as it's too late.

Anyone know if other proof alcohol is as effective as well, or if it's just the vodka ?

Re: Vodka and Ethylene Glycol

Sandra Taylor RVN, MBVNA — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 20:33:28 GMT

We kept it (vodka)in the cupboard when I was at Vetsnow, to be used I/V, and the quicker you get it in the better. Basically the alcohol binds onto the site that the antifreeze would bind too, thats how it works......... but you have to get in there quick...ie if you dont actually see the animal ingest the antifreeze , then you are basically stuffed, as they sometimes wont show any sigs for up to 2 days later and by that time, you cant save them.

Re: Vodka and Ethylene Glycol

SmegSlayer — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 20:20:13 GMT

Re: Vodka and Ethylene Glycol

hissycat — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:53:15 GMT

I was wondering about the sterility thing. I suppose you would give antibiotics in any case. Like you say though, if it saves lives...

Re: Vodka and Ethylene Glycol

Sal the 1st — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:25:31 GMT

we used to use ethanol i/v - I know because I stuck a big label on the bottle saying it was non sterile (as i was using it in the lab for my slides) - but sterile or not it saved lives.

Re: Vodka and Ethylene Glycol

Kim Buckley — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 19:13:16 GMT

Never seen it used before but I knew that vodka can be used to treat it. No-one in my uni lecture was surprised when I knew the answer to this

Re: Vodka and Ethylene Glycol

Kerry Spain — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 17:26:33 GMT

[quote user="sal the 1st"]

yes we never had vodka in (because it had a habit of disappearing)

[/quote]

HAHAHAHA that made me laugh

I've seen it used and if I remember correctly it was used IV (not sure if this is right or not? )

Re: Vodka and Ethylene Glycol

Caro Laithwaite VN — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:55:47 GMT

yes we use it but not iv it goes in oral. Best l saw was the gsd puppy on vodka and yogurt l was giving it hourly through the nigh.. oyy was it bladdered by the morning... but it ok in the end

Re: Vodka and Ethylene Glycol

hissycat — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 16:35:53 GMT

I didn't actually see the case but I know it was used in my previous practice. Must say I raised my eyebrows when I went into prep and saw a bottle of absolut sitting there! Then I thought it couldn't be staff cos it was too expensive a brand! The purer the better I suppose. Have also seen proper ethanol used. I guess they do the same job..

Re: Vodka and Ethylene Glycol

Mariasupial — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:58:20 GMT

Yep, there's a bottle of vodka in the DD cupboard. Given i/v in emergencies (to the patient, not the staff!!!!)

Re: Vodka and Ethylene Glycol

Maisy — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:39:24 GMT

Have seen it used often. The stronger % alcohol does tend to work better though!

Re: Vodka and Ethylene Glycol

Claire Cameron — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:34:23 GMT

Can't believe I've never heard of it!

Re: Vodka and Ethylene Glycol

Sal the 1st — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:33:12 GMT

yes we never had vodka in (because it had a habit of disappearing) but I always knew when we had an antifreeze kitty in because they used to raid my lab cupboard.

Re: Vodka and Ethylene Glycol

Kathryn Welsh — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 15:22:47 GMT

I've heard about this a couple of times but never seen it used! Great excuse to keep a bottle of vodka in the cupboard!