-
Recent Posts
Archives
- October 2022
- August 2022
- May 2022
- March 2022
- January 2022
- December 2021
- September 2021
- July 2021
- June 2021
- May 2021
- April 2021
- February 2021
- January 2021
- November 2020
- October 2020
- September 2020
- June 2020
- April 2020
- March 2020
- February 2020
- January 2020
- December 2019
- November 2019
- October 2019
- September 2019
- June 2019
- March 2019
- February 2019
- January 2019
- December 2018
- November 2018
- October 2018
- August 2018
- July 2018
- June 2018
- May 2018
- April 2018
- March 2018
- February 2018
- January 2018
- December 2017
- November 2017
- October 2017
- September 2017
- August 2017
- July 2017
- June 2017
- May 2017
- April 2017
- March 2017
- February 2017
- January 2017
- December 2016
- November 2016
- August 2016
- July 2016
- June 2016
- May 2016
- April 2016
- March 2016
- February 2016
- January 2016
- December 2015
- November 2015
- October 2015
- September 2015
- August 2015
- July 2015
- June 2015
- May 2015
- April 2015
- March 2015
- December 2014
- June 2014
- May 2014
- April 2014
- November 2013
- September 2013
- August 2013
- July 2013
- June 2013
- May 2013
- March 2013
- January 2013
- November 2012
- October 2012
- July 2012
- December 2011
- November 2011
- October 2011
- September 2011
- August 2011
- July 2011
- June 2011
- May 2011
- April 2011
- March 2011
- February 2011
- January 2011
- December 2010
- November 2010
Categories
Cool Case Rosey
Rosey is a happy and playful 10-month-old Bichon mix that was recently adopted by her family as an emotional support dog. She was a healthy puppy with no previous medical history.
Rosey was brought in to see Dr. Nancy Vail-Archer, Emergency clinician and Medical Director of the NorthStar VETS hospital in Maple Shade, for a sudden onset of vomiting followed by collapse. Her family reported that she was perfectly normal earlier that morning. They were very concerned and unable to think of what could have happened to make Rosey so ill.
On presentation, she was stuporous (poorly responsive) with miotic pupils (constricted pupils). Rosey was hypersalivating (drooling excessively), tetraparetic (unable to use all four of her limbs), she was vocalizing and highly sensitive to any stimulation. Further examination revealed that Rosey was unable to swallow due to an impaired gag reflex. Given her young age, rapid onset of signs and clinical presentation, a toxin exposure was high on the list of differential diagnoses.
Many of her clinical signs were consistent with a baclofen toxicosis. Baclofen is a common medication that acts on the central nervous system to provide muscle relaxation. The drug rapidly crosses the blood-brain barrier (travels from the blood stream into the brain) resulting in suppression of the central nervous system. Further discussions with her family revealed that baclofen was in the home and could not be ruled out as a potential cause. The treatment for a baclofen toxicosis can be intensive, but with aggressive supportive care, the prognosis is often good for recovery. Severe muscle relaxation can result in an inability to breathe, and may necessitate intubation and mechanical ventilation.
Rosey was treated with IV fluids, antinausea medications and medications to help reduce the toxic effects of the baclofen. Cotton balls were placed in her ears to help reduce stimulation. A particularly important treatment was the use of Intralipid emulsion (ILE). ILE will help to capture the toxicant and carry it to organs that can detoxify and/or excrete the toxicant. Additional nursing staff was called in to provide one-on-one supportive care for Rosey. Over the next 24 hours Rosey gradually became more responsive and fully recovered by her 3rd day in the hospital. We are happy to know that Rosey is at home and is back to being a playful puppy!
Learn more about the Emergency and Critical Care service at NorthStar VETS.
Nancy Vail-Archer, DVM – Medical Director, Maple Shade
Dr. Vail-Archer returned to her hometown of Bordentown, New Jersey along with her two dogs, Ricky and Saba, when she joined NorthStar VETS in 2007. She completed her undergraduate studies at Rutgers University where she earned a degree in biological sciences, and her interest in research and medicine led her to Princeton University where she worked as a research assistant. She completed her veterinary studies at Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine, with a year of clinical training at the University of Missouri College of Veterinary Medicine. She completed a 13-month rotating internship at Fifth Avenue Veterinary Specialists in New York City and has a special interest in emergency and critical care medicine. Outside of veterinary medicine, Dr. Vail-Archer enjoys running, skiing and scuba diving.
The information presented on this web site is not intended to take the place of your family veterinarian’s advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Discuss this information with your own veterinarian to determine what is right for your pet. All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. We can not and do not give you medical advice via this blog. The information contained in this online site and emails is presented in summary form only and intended to provide broad understanding and knowledge. The information should not be considered complete and should not be used in place of a visit, call, consultation or advice of your veterinarian. We do not recommend the self-management of your pet’s health problems.
This entry was posted in Pets, Veterinary Medicine and tagged baclofen, itralipid emulsion, Nancy Vail DVM, NorthStar VETS, toxic, Veterinary Emergency. Bookmark the permalink.
Leave a Reply