Case Presentation by:   Carol Barton, Julie Becker and Kary Walters

Patient Profile: "Kato", a 1 1/2-year old, intact male Husky.

History: "Kato" has only lived with these owners for about 3 months.   He spends most of his time in the garage and back yard with another dog.  The owner left for work at 9 AM and thought "Kato" was sleeping in the garage.   She returned at 3 PM to find him in the same position.  She tried to rouse him but said he appeared drunk and could not stand.  The only thing she noticed in the garage was an empty jug of windshield washer fluid.  The other dog was completely normal.  "Kato" presented to the emergency service on 12/30/98.

Physical Examination:  Heart rate = 180/minute.  Pulse rate = 180/minute.  Respiratory rate = 40/minute.  Body weight = 23.36 kg. "Kato" was semi-comatose.  Forelimb and hindlimb reflexes were normal but there were some cranial nerve deficits, including a lack of menace response. Capillary refill time and hydration status were normal.  Chest auscultation and abdominal palpation were normal.  

Laboratory Findings:   CBC was normal. Glucose = 133 mg/dl; BUN = 30 mg/dl; phosphorus = 7.3 mg/dl; calcium = 8.3 mg/dl; AST = 44 IU/L; potassium = 3.9 meq/L.   Ethylene glycol test was negative.

Questions:   

• What products contain methanol and how is it toxic to the body?
• What clinical signs are seen with methanol toxicity?
• What initial emergency treatments would you institute for "Kato", one of which can be done by owners at home at the first sign of ingestion of methanol?
• Which two therapeutic agents are used to treat methanol toxicity for the next 24-48 hours?
• What parameters do you want to monitor closely for the next few days to make sure treatment is going well?
• What is the prognosis for methanol toxicity?

Answers and Discussion:

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Copyright Wayne E. Wingfield, DVM, and Brenda McClelland, DVM, Colorado State University, 2000. All rights reserved.
This page was last edited:  03/01/00