Successful treatment of a severe cannabinoid toxicity using extracorporeal therapy in a dog

To describe the use of extracorporeal therapy (ECT) to treat severe cannabinoid intoxication in a dog with severe hyperlipidemia.

A 7-month-old female intact Labrador Retriever presented with seizures and severe hyperesthesia that were refractory to multiple anticonvulsant medications and required induction of general anesthesia with propofol and mechanical ventilation. The dog's urine yielded a strong positive signal for delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) on urine drug test and exposure to THC oil was confirmed by the owner. Bloodwork revealed severe hyperlipidemia such that IV lipid emulsion was considered contraindicated. The dog was treated with a 3-hour ECT session, using charcoal hemoperfusion and hemodialysis in series. Neurologic signs improved during the session and mechanical ventilation was discontinued. Immediately after the session, the dog's mentation was significantly improved and seizures and hyperesthesia had ceased, although the dog remained moderately ataxic. The dog was hospitalized for 36 hours following the ECT session for continued monitoring. The dog fully recovered and was successfully discharged.

To the authors' knowledge, this is the first published report to document ECT to treat THC intoxication in veterinary medicine. ECT may be considered as a treatment option for severe THC intoxication that is refractory to standard therapy or where severe hyperlipidemia precludes use of IV lipid emulsions.