Use of intravenously lipid emulsion for treatment of baclofen toxicosis in a cat

Abstract

A 1-year-old female domestic shorthair cat ingested about 1.6 mg/kg body weight of baclofen. Hyperexcitability, disorientation and ataxia followed by severe central nervous system depression were noted. Hypothermia, bradycardia and tachypnea were developed. Therapy with an intravenous emulsion of 20% soybean oil in water was started because conventional therapies did not control clinical signs. A bolus of 2 ml/kg in 15 minutes following by constant rate infusion of 0.05 ml/kg/min for 4 hours was administered. Within one hour of starting the lipid administration, the cats' breathing, heart rate and patient mental state improved. Rectal temperature normalized. At the end of lipid infusion heart and respiratory rate were in the reference range as well as neurological signs resolved. The cat was discharged after 5 days of hospitalization. No recurrence of clinical signs was reported.