Iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome in an adult dog following prolonged sedation to facilitate mechanical ventilation

Summary

This case report describes suspected iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome in an adult dog after successful weaning from mechanical ventilation. A 2‐year‐old, male, neutered French bulldog was placed on mechanical ventilation for respiratory fatigue secondary to suspected botulism following witnessed ingestion of a decaying animal carcase. Shortly following extubation, the dog began exhibiting tremors that progressed to one generalised seizure approximately 27 hours following withdrawal of sedatives. The dog was managed with a midazolam and fentanyl continuous rate infusion, and was successfully weaned off medications with no further seizures. Iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome is well documented in human paediatric medicine, but diagnosis and treatment are not standardised. Iatrogenic withdrawal syndrome is also documented in paediatric veterinary patients, but it has not previously been reported in an adult dog.