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Falsely increased plasma lactate concentration due to ethylene glycol poisoning in 2 dogs
Kate Hopper1, Steven E Epstein
1Department of Veterinary Surgical and Radiological Sciences, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA. khopper@ucdavis.edu
Objective:
To describe false increases in plasma lactate concentration measured on point-of-care analyzers in 2 dogs with ethylene glycol (EG) intoxication.
Case Summary:
Two dogs presenting with EG intoxication had extreme increases of plasma lactate concentrations recorded on a point-of-care machine. Laboratory analysis by spectrophotometry of lactate concentration determined these lactate measurements to be erroneous. False increases in plasma lactate concentration were demonstrated in 2 out of 3 point-of-care machines tested.
New Or Unique Information Provided:
Glycolate, a toxic metabolite of EG, can interfere with the measurement of plasma lactate by some analyzers and this may delay the correct diagnosis of EG toxicity if not recognized.
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