1. Contact your veterinarian immediately.
  2. Your veterinarian may instruct you to induce vomiting, however, do not induce vomiting unless instructed to. Vomiting should never be induced in tremoring, seizuring or comatose animals.
  3. Animals should be confined to prevent injury, and kept warm as alcohol predisposes to hypothermia.

TOXICITY

MODERATE

Toxicity depends on the amount and concentration of alcohol ingested. Isopropanol is more toxic than ethanol.

CLINICAL SIGNS

Alcohol is absorbed rapidly into the bloodstream with typical onset of signs 30-60 minutes following ingestion.

  • Animal appears “drunk”
  • Alcohol on the breath
  • Initial excitation/hyperactivity followed by depression
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhoea
  • Incoordination/inability to stand
  • Disorientation
  • Vocalisation
  • Tremors
  • Seizures
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Unconsciousness
  • Coma
  • Death

EFFECTS OF TOXICITY

Alcohol is a central nervous system depressant. It is also an irritant to skin, eyes and mucus membranes.

TREATMENT

Seizure control may be required. Intravenous fluids may be provided in dehydrated patients.

REFERENCES

petpoisonhelpline.com

veterinarypartner.com

Bough M (2011) Food-Associated Intoxications. In: Small Animal Toxicology Essentials ed. RH Poppenga and SM Gwaltney-Brant. London: Wiley-Blackwell. Pp215-216.