Hemodialysis as emergency treatment of a severe baclofen intoxication in a 3 kg dog

Abstract

Objective To describe the clinical efficacy and drug removal kinetics of hemodialysis (HD) as emergency treatment in a small size dog with severe baclofen intoxication. Case description A 2‐year‐old dog was presented in stupor to the emergency service a few hours after ingestion of up to 25 mg of baclofen. Medical stabilisation was attempted but was unsuccessful in improving the neurological condition and the patient rapidly progressed to coma. A 4‐h session of HD was performed in emergency with near complete resolution of neurological signs and only mild disorientation by the end of the treatment. No adverse side effects occurred during HD. Baclofen concentration was measured serially during the session. Drug extraction ratio, clearance and mass removal by the dialyser were calculated. Dialytic elimination rate constant (Kd) was seven times higher than the intrinsic elimination rate constant (Kintr) and the half‐life (t½) during HD was nearly nine times shorter than the endogenous one. New or unique information provided This is the first case report providing pharmacokinetic data associated with HD treatment of severe baclofen intoxication in a dog.

Keywords

• baclofen
• canine
• extracorporeal therapy
• intoxication
• neurological signs