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Baclofen Toxicity in a Dog | VetGirl Veterinary CE Videos

In this VetGirl video, we demonstrate the use of intravenous lipid emulsion (ILE) for the treatment of baclofen toxicity. Baclofen, a centrally-acting muscle relaxant used commonly in human medicine, results in severity toxicity in dogs and cats. Clinical signs can be seen at very low doses (as low as 3 mg/kg).  Ingestion by veterinary patients can cause significant morbidity and mortality, with doses as low as 8-16 mg/kg resulting in death.  Clinical signs of baclofen toxicity in dogs and cats include severe dysphoria, agitation, profound sedation, bradycardia, hypoventilation, coma, and death. In this VetGirl video, we demonstrate how an antidote (e.g., ILE) can be used for fat-soluble drugs (such as baclofen, ivermectin, cholecalciferol, etc.). In veterinary medicine, dosing for ILE has been extrapolated from human medicine (1.5 ml/kg of the 20% ILE solution IV over 1 minute, followed by 0.25 ml/kg/minute for 30-60 minutes).

References:
1. Fernandez AL, Lee JA, Rahilly L, et al. The use of intravenous lipid emulsion as an antidote in veterinary toxicology. J Vet Emerg Crit Care 2011;21(4):309-20.

2. Khorzad R, Lee JA, Hovda LR, Whelan M, et al. Baclofen toxicosis in dogs and cats: 145 cases (2004-2010). J Am Vet Med Assoc 2012;241(8):1059-1064.

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