Portland, Oregon (coin) — Two dogs were saved from a fatal overdose after doctors used dialysis technology to extract toxins from their bloodstream.
Doctors at Abu Bui Veterinary Emergency Hospital swung into action after two dogs were brought in who may have ingested naproxen, a painkiller that can be fatal to dogs.
Mia and Kodak were taken to hospital after their family came home to find naproxen on the floor, and although tests came back normal, it's unclear which dog, or if both, ate the pills.
As a precaution, the family put the dogs on dialysis, using a technique not often used in veterinary medicine.
Using a continuous renal replacement therapy machine, doctors underwent total plasma exchange for several hours, extracting toxins directly from the bloodstream.
“Both Mia and Kodak responded extremely well to the TPE treatment, with no subsequent organ damage and normal kidney function throughout their recovery,” said veterinarian Dr. Lindsay Maguire. “It's rare for a veterinary clinic to have dialysis machines on-site, so we're pleased to be able to offer families a new way to treat toxin emergencies in their pets.”
The dogs recovered quickly, with their appetites and behavior returning to normal within a few days of surgery, Dovlewis said.
