Surto de intoxicação por monoetilenoglicol em cães por ingestão de petisco contaminado

Abstract

While the voluntary ingestion of antifreeze substances is a common presentation of ethylene glycol toxicosis in dogs and cats, cases due to ingestion of contaminated food are rare. This report describes three cases of ethylene glycol toxicosis in dogs caused by the ingestion of contaminated treats. Clinically, dogs presented with severe gastroenteric, neurological and urinary clinical signs, for 2 to 15 days until death. Urea and creatinine levels of all dogs were markedly elevated. Macroscopically, the kidneys had multifocal light yellow pinpoint foci in the cortex. Microscopically, renal tubules were multifocally distorted and expanded by aggregates of radiating, fragmented, slightly vitreous yellow material, with birefringence in polarized light (calcium oxalate crystals), occasionally associated with tubular necrosis (all cases), tubular regeneration and interstitial fibrosis (case 3). Samples of the same treats given to the dogs were submitted to gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS), which revealed contamination by monoethylene glycol. These were the first reported cases of monoethylene glycol toxicosis in dogs due to ingestion of these contaminated treats, and after these cases, a law enforcement inquiry was opened to investigate the deaths of more than 50 similar cases across the state. The investigations identified the contamination of the propylene glycol used to manufacture these treats, and six other animal food manufacturing companies identified monoethylene glycol in their products and removed them from the market.