According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, between the years of 1999-2010, 5,149 people perished from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning in the United States. These carbon monoxide incidents are not fire-related. This loss does not include pets that may have been in the homes of the people affected.
Protecting pets against harmful situations, including the potential for carbon monoxide is your responsibility. Like the rest of your family, you likely want your pets to remain in the best of health at all times. There are some tasks you can undertake to help keep your pet from falling victim to carbon monoxide exposure as well as some information about the signs of exposure so you know when to react promptly in getting your animal treatment. Read on to learn more about carbon monoxide and its effect on pets.
“Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day.
It is amazing how much love and laughter they bring into our lives and even how much closer we become with each other because of them.”
― John Grogan, Marley and Me: Life and Love With the World’s Worst Dog
Know What Carbon Monoxide Is
Carbon monoxide poisoning happens when carbon monoxide is emitted from a heating source. The emission is colorless, tasteless and odorless, therefore carbon monoxide is sometimes called “the silent killer”. Carbon Monoxide stops the body’s red blood cells from carrying oxygen throughout to the organs. The heart and brain are usually the most affected organs if carbon monoxide poisoning occurs.
Wintertime Is A Prime Time For Trouble
When the temperature plummets, we tend to use items around the household that aren’t always being used as they are in the summer. You’ll need to heat your abode, meaning a furnace, wood stove, or fireplace is likely to be utilized. You might use your hot water heater more than normal to warm up. Some people leave their stoves open after cooking to distribute heat from within to the interior of their homes. With all of these heating sources, comes some risks. In fact, furnaces are one of the main culprits when it comes to carbon monoxide emissions.
Check Around Your Home For Potential Risk Areas
Before wintertime emerges, it is best to have your heating source inspected by a professional. This way any broken portions can be repaired before you need to utilize your heat source means. Cars emit carbon monoxide, making it imperative to be sure your garage door is open if you plan on starting or parking your vehicle in this area if it is attached to your home. In the fall, check that your hot water heater and stove are working properly as well. Make sure your fireplace is cleaned out before it needs to be used and that the space it will be heating is well-ventilated.
Be Aware Of The Signs Of A Problem
Knowing the signs of carbon monoxide poisoning in pets will help you recognize whether they have been affected. Symptoms include:
- Vomiting
- Weakness
- Depression
- Coma
- Seizures
- Deafness
- Blindness
- Labored breathing
- Cardiac Problems
- Lung injury
- Respiratory Disease
- Death
If your pet is unresponsive or is showing any of the above signs, don’t wait around to determine whether they will get better on their own. It is best to seek care from an emergency veterinarian immediately. After your pet is treated for carbon monoxide exposure, they will require continuous monitoring for up to a week to ensure there is no relapse in symptoms.
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Invest In A Home Monitoring System
There is no way to know if carbon monoxide is being leaked into the home without a monitoring system. Carbon monoxide detection units will sound an alarm if there is a change to the air near the unit itself. Many families find that placing a unit on each floor of their home gives them the peace of mind that they will be alerted should there become an increased risk to their health due to carbon monoxide exposure.
If you are interested in learning more about home monitoring systems and how it can help with Carbon and Pets, Protect America is ready to help. Not only are you able to protect your family members with the installation of a system, but your pets are also at less risk of exposure if you are able to stop it promptly.
To find out more about Protect America and the services we provide, take a look at our website to browse the included information about our products and how they work. We offer free quotations simply by filling out information on our site as well. We realize how important your family and pets are to you. Do yourself a favor and protect them to the highest of your ability with a home monitoring system you can count on.
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