1. Contact your veterinarian immediately.
  2. Your veterinarian may instruct you to induce vomiting, however, do not induce vomiting unless instructed to.
  3. It is best to take your pet to the vet immediately for decontamination under veterinary supervision as induction of vomiting is dangerous if your pet starts to develop clinical signs.

OTHER NAMES

Lioresal, Kemstro, Gablofen, muscle relaxant

TOXICITY

SEVERE

CLINICAL SIGNS

Onset of action after oral ingestion is rapid, in about 15-60 minutes but it may also be delayed for several (up to 7) hours. Clinical signs in animals last from several hours to several days.

  • Excitability/hyperactivity/agitation
  • Lethargy, depression, profound sedation
  • Hypersalivation
  • Occasionally vomiting or diarrhoea
  • Loss of swallowing reflex
  • Constricted pupils
  • Weakness
  • Uncoordinated gait (ataxia)
  • Disorientation
  • Twitching/tremors
  • Low heart rate (bradycardia)
  • Low body temperature (hypothermia)
  • Pale or blue-tinged gums (cyanosis)
  • Difficulty breathing (dyspnoea) or failure to breath (apnoea)
  • Collapse
  • Death

EFFECTS OF TOXICITY

Baclofen at high doses results in flaccid paralysis of the muscles, including those that facilitate breathing. In overdoses, baclofen can cross the blood-brain-barrier to cause central nervous system effects such as depression and coma.

TREATMENT

Veterinary care consists of gastrointestinal decontamination (which may involve gastric lavage, and administration of activated charcoal), anti-convulsants to treat tremors and/or seizures, artificial ventilation of required and intravenous fluids. Intensive care is usually required.

REFERENCES

BSAVA (2012) BSAVA/VPIS Guide to Common Canine and Feline Poisons. Gloucester: BSAVA.

Wismer, T (2004) Baclofen overdose in dogs. Veterinary Medicine. 99(5):406-410

Links for owners:

www.petpoisonhelpline.com

veterinarymedicine.dvm360.com