Successful Management of Minoxidil Toxicosis in a Dog
January 2018
in “
Javma-journal of The American Veterinary Medical Association
”
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Studysummary This case report documents the first successful management of accidental minoxidil toxicosis in a dog, resulting in full recovery after treatment with supportive care, including medications for blood pressure and potential toxicity mitigation. Our plain-language summary of this paper — not a Tressless recommendation.
In 2018, a 2-year-old female mixed-breed dog weighing 5.8 kg was successfully treated for minoxidil toxicosis after ingesting 5% minoxidil foam. The dog exhibited symptoms including vomiting, lethargy, tachycardia, and hypotension. Treatment involved a constant rate infusion of dopamine and esmolol hydrochloride, as well as an intravenous lipid emulsion (IVLE) and antiemetic medications. The dog's clinical signs resolved, and it made a full recovery four days post-admission. This case was the first reported successful clinical management of accidental minoxidil toxicosis in a dog, with the treatments administered contributing to the positive outcome, although the exact impact of each treatment was not determined. Financial constraints prevented more comprehensive diagnostic testing. The case underscores the need for veterinary awareness of minoxidil's toxic effects and the potential need for specialty care in such cases.
