While not as commonly ingested by companion animals as other medications, baclofen is highly potent and even a small amount of the drug can cause severe toxicity.1 It is also rapidly absorbed into the blood, and the half-life is thought to increase substantially in cases of overdose.2 Hemoperfusion, an extracorporeal treatment that filters toxins from the blood, is a novel treatment option that may be beneficial for patients with severe baclofen toxicities
In this webinar, Dr. Joanna Finstad, DVM, MS, DACVECC shares a hemoperfusion case report featuring the successful treatment of a Brittany with a baclofen overdose. Dr. Finstad also reviews basic baclofen pharmacokinetics, clinical signs of overdose, and treatment options, including when and why hemoperfusion should be considered for managing these patients.