Shelter Dog Shows Signs of Alcohol Withdrawal

(Photo Credit: Chris Amaral / Getty Images)

While it may sound unbelievable, staff at a UK dog rescue shelter think one of their dogs is showing signs of alcohol withdrawal.

According to the BBC, the two dogs, Georgie and Coco, arrived at Woodside Animal Welfare Trust after their owner passed away. Shortly after, the dogs began presenting with symptoms that staff could only describe as alcohol withdrawals. Shortly after, both dogs needed immediate intensive care.

No one knows how the dogs developed alcohol withdrawal

Even though an on-site vet gave both dogs emergency care, Georgie ended up passing away. As for Coco, a two-year-old Labrador mix, he needed round-the-clock care in the shelter’s special operations unit. After four weeks of being sedated, he eventually made a full recovery.

At first, Woodside staff didn’t know what was happening to Georgie and Coco. According to Kirsten Stone, a shelter employee, eventually a “process of elimination” led them to deduce that the dogs’ were experiencing alcohol withdrawal symptoms.

Significantly, Stone said, “It could be that just after, like say, the owner’s had a drink and they’ve just gone to sleep, and the dogs may have drank it, but we just don’t know”. Continuing, she said, “We do know that they were very, very well loved, and very well looked after, because [Coco], he’s very well-trained, and he loves cuddles”.

Alcohol and dogs just don’t mix

According to the SPCA, dog owners should under no circumstances ever give their dogs alcohol. Just like in humans, alcohol poisoning can lead to serious health risks including vomiting, breathing problems, and even death. Coco’s case is exceedingly rare. But, the fact is no dog should be in a position where that’s a possibility.

For the meantime, Woodside staff say Coco is doing well. And, they’re currently looking for his new forever home. Notably, shelter staff said Coco’s new owner needs to be “someone who is home quite a lot”.

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