If you suspect that your dog has been subjected to excessive amounts of carbon monoxide, immediately call for veterinary help. In the meantime, remove your dog from the source of the toxic gas to a location where it can breathe fresh air. Your veterinarian will start emergency treatment to restore adequate levels of oxygen to the vital organs. Supplementation of 100 percent pure oxygen is the best method for initiating a quick recovery. Fluids will also be given to improve blood perfusion to vital organs like the brain, as well as to normalize the increased concentrations of acids in blood.
Living and Management
While your dog is recovering from the carbon monoxide poisoning, limit its activity for at least six weeks. Rather than long walks, take short walks with your dog. Slow down on the playtime and exercise until your dog has fully recovered all of its physical faculties. Your dog may need some extra affection during this time. Do what you can to keep the dog calm and relaxed. Watch your dog for any recurrence of symptoms and call for help if you suspect any untoward symptoms in your dog. Nervous symptoms may be seen in some animal patients even weeks after the initial recovery. If you do become aware of any nervous system abnormalities, call your veterinarian for advisement.
Carbon monoxide is as lethal to you as to your dogs, therefore, use carbon monoxide detectors at home to prevent possible or re-occurring episodes. The human element is the most important line of prevention. Protect your dogs from any sources of carbon monoxide.
The protein that moves oxygen in the blood
The flow of blood through bodily tissue
An in-depth examination of the properties of urine; used to determine the presence or absence of illness
The period that an animal is pregnant in which the fetus develops from conception to birth
The term used to describe the movement of an animal
Term used to imply that a situation or condition is more severe than usual; also used to refer to a disease having run a short course or come on suddenly.
A record of the activity of the myocardium
A condition of the body in which pH levels are abnormally low.