Ethylene glycol intoxication in ducks

Ducks maintained over winter in an area used for automobile storage and repair were poisoned by anti-freeze. Signs were weakness, depression, ataxia, and death. Post-mortem lesions consisted of marked nephrosis; numerous oxalate crystals occluded the renal tubules. Levels of ethylene glycol were markedly elevated compared with levels in normal tissues. To further characterize the disease, six healthy ducks were given ethylene glycol in oral doses ranging from 1.1 to 17.8 ml/kg. As the dosage was increased, blood and tissue concentrations of ethylene glycol increased and time to death decreased. Histologic lesions were similar to those seen in the accidentally poisoned ducks.