An Activated Charcoal Hemoperfusion System for the Treatment of Barbital or Ethylene Glycol Poisoning in Dogs

Abstract

The efficacy of activated charcoal (AC) hemoperfusion therapy was studied in dogs acutely poisoned with lethal doses of barbital or ethylene glycol (EG). Two of three barbital-poisoned dogs treated with AC hemoperfusion survived; the dog that died was only hemoperfused for 1.5 h. Although AC hemo'perfusion of EG-poisoned dogs reduced the blood level of the toxicant considerably, this was not enough to effect survival. The use of AC hemoperfusion was an effective therapeutic measure for dogs poisoned with lethal doses of barbital. The use of the AC hemoperfusion system with existing drugs of therapy for EG poisoning may be beneficial.