![]() ![]() However, some animals have been used historically for this purpose. Image Credit: Sam Wordley, Shutterstockīecause of its properties, carbon monoxide isn’t detectable by any animals. Keep a close eye on any dog exposed to CO, and get them veterinary treatment should any troubling signs re-occur. Lots of love, affection, and comfort should be given to your dog at this time, as it’s likely a scary and uncomfortable thing for them to endure. Some effects that carbon monoxide can have on the nervous system aren’t immediately apparent and can take weeks to occur. Physical activity should be monitored and limited for up to 6 weeks post-exposure, and shorter walks and play sessions can help your dog’s body recover. Your dog will need to be taken on slower, shorter walks in the weeks following CO poisoning, as they will struggle with more intense exercise. Some dogs recover quickly from carbon monoxide poisoning, while others suffer long-lasting effects. Owners will need to continue their dog’s recovery at home. How Do I Look After My Dog After Carbon Monoxide Exposure? After your dog’s oxygen levels are normalized, and they’re given the clear to go home, they will need special care to help them recover. The vet can then give your dog fluids to combat potential dehydration or imbalances while increasing blood perfusion. While oxygen is being administered, your dog’s vet will likely take blood to assess other areas of your dog’s body for damage and see how much CO your dog has inhaled. This helps to clear the CO from a dog’s body and re-perfuses the organs and nervous system with oxygen-rich blood. What Is the Treatment for Carbon Monoxide Poisoning?Ĭarbon monoxide poisoning is usually treated first by administering pure oxygen. Hypoxia is the lack of oxygen in the body, starving the brain, heart, and other organs of oxygen and causing them to fail.īecause oxygen starvation affects the brain and nervous system, some dogs exposed to carbon monoxide have long-term effects that can significantly reduce their quality of life. Carbon monoxide replaces oxygen molecules in red blood cells, creating carboxyhemoglobin and causing hypoxia. Why Does Carbon Monoxide Cause Problems in Dogs?Ĭarbon monoxide acts in canine bodies the same as in humans. If you are indoors and notice signs of carbon monoxide poisoning in yourself, someone else, or your dog, get out of the house with all members of your household immediately and call the local authorities. For example, it has been reported that humans can lose periods of time or become forgetful and even feel like they’re hallucinating because of chronic carbon monoxide toxicity, but this can be very hard to measure in dogs. There may be signs of CO toxicity in dogs that are present, which we can’t see. The most common signs of carbon monoxide poisoning in dogs include: The signs can come on slowly (often seen in slow CO leaks) or rapidly, depending on the concentration of CO in the environment. The signs of carbon monoxide poisoning in dogs are similar to those seen in humans. Image Credit: Tatyana Vyc, Shutterstock What Are the Signs of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Dogs? This is why it’s essential to recognize the effects of CO toxicity in humans and dogs. This isn’t something dogs voluntarily do, but they can alert people to CO before the effects become apparent. Their owners can notice their behavior and realize that something is wrong, evacuating the home (with their dog) to safety. ![]() Unfortunately, others will start to succumb to the effects of carbon monoxide themselves since dogs are smaller than humans, they often show signs of CO poisoning more quickly than humans. Some dogs will respond and get their owner’s attention if a carbon monoxide alarm begins to blare, particularly if owners are asleep. How Can Dogs Alert Humans to the Presence of Carbon Monoxide?īecause dogs can’t detect carbon monoxide themselves, they can only alert humans to its presence if they hear the CO alarm and react or if they suffer the effects of CO poisoning. ![]()
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