Plasma

Plasma Separator Tube 4.5 mL

3 mL whole blood in light green top tube or TWO Microtainer^® devices

This assay is intended for measurement of ethylene glycol in 
plasma of animals under veterinary care.  This procedure individually 
quantitates ethylene glycol.

Note: This procedure is not suitable for the 
detection of other toxic alcohols including methanol and isopropanol, 
or for detection of propylene glycol (commonly found as diluent in 
some intravenous medications). Ethylene glycol is commonly found in 
many automobile antifreezes. Toxic concentrations of ethylene glycol 
in animals are not well defined, but ethylene glycol plasma 
concentrations of > 50 mg/dL in dogs and > 20 mg/dL in cats have been 
associated with severe toxicity if untreated.

References:
Safety and efficacy of 4-methylpyrazole for treatment of suspected or 
confirmed ethylene glycol intoxication in dogs: 107 cases (1983-
1995).  
J Am Vet Med Assoc 209: 1880-1883, 1996.

Incidence of ethylene glycol intoxication in dogs and cats seen at 
Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital.  Vet Hum 
Toxicol 29: 41-44, 1987.

For testing of ethylene glycol in human patients, see links listed at 
the bottom.

Enzymatic Immunoassay using glycerol dehydrogenase

Centrifuge at 3000 RPM for 10 minutes within 1 hours of collection. Send specimen in original tube. Do Not transfer to another tube.
Each sample must be labeled with at least TWO full patient identifiers (First/Last Name & DOB are sufficient for non-UIHC affiliated clients) to avoid sample rejection/delays.

Refrigerate.
All sample storage requirements are intended for delivery to UIHC within 24 hours of collection for testing. If samples won't arrive in this time period, please call the UIHC Core Lab for alternative storage/shipping instructions (319-356-3527).

Place labeled specimen into zip-lock type biohazard bag; seal bag.
Place completed requisition into outside pocket of bag.
Place coolant packs on top of specimen in Styrofoam container to maintain refrigerated temperature.

See Additional Information:
Osmolality Gap Calculator
Osmolality Gap - Calculation and Interpretation