Baclofen Toxicity in Dogs

Abstract

Introduction: Baclofen is a centrally-acting skeletal muscle relaxant used to control spasticity and pain in humans. In an overdose situation, the onset of clinical signs, such as vocalization, vomiting, ataxia, disorientation, salivation, coma, weakness, recumbency, and seizures, is usually noticed.

Case report: The first case was a two-month-old female Spitz pup weighing 5 kg, which was brought to the Small Animal Medicine unit of Veterinary Clinical Complex (VCC), Rajiv Gandhi Institute of Veterinary Education and Research (RIVER), Puducherry, India, with a history of vomiting, vocalization, and restlessness for the past hour. After recording the history, it was revealed that the dog had accidentally consumed four Baclofen tablets (10 mg each). The animal was immediately treated with fluids, activated charcoal, and Kaolin mixed with water (orally). The gradual reduction in clinical signs was noticed by the lower of 12 hours, and a dramatic improvement was noticed the day after, and the pup recovered completely. The second case was a six-month-old male Labrador dog weighing 20 kg, which was brought to the Small Animal Medicine unit of VCC, RIVER, Puducherry, India, with a history of vocalization, restlessness, and salivation for the past two hours. After considering the history, it was revealed that the dog had accidentally ingested eight Baclofen tablets of 10 mg. The animal was immediately treated with fluids (Injection) Atropine sulfate and activated charcoal mixed with water (orally). The gradual reduction of clinical signs was noticed in less than 12 hours, dramatic improvement was noticed the next day, and the dog recovered completely.

Conclusion: Timely diagnosis and proper management of the toxicity with drugs can eliminate the clinical signs, and fluid therapy can help the animal’s recovery.