Rescue dog treated in rare case of alcohol addiction and withdrawal after owner dies
- The Labrador mix, named Coco, was taken to a rescue shelter in England following the death of his owner. Coco was treated by a vet after suffering from fits
- Coco and another dog had become dependent on alcohol when their owner left out drinks before he went to sleep, reported UK newspaper The Telegraph
A Labrador mix in Plymouth, western England, has had to be treated for alcoholism after he was taken into a rescue shelter following the death of his owner.
Woodside Animal Welfare Trust wrote on Facebook that Coco, a two-year-old male, arrived at their centre very unwell and having fits.
Coco and another dog he came in with were treated by an emergency vet.
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“After arriving with his canine pal following the death of his owner, he and his companion became quickly unwell. Coco’s friend was repeatedly fitting, and soon after, Coco also started to fit,” said Woodside Animal Welfare Trust.
Sadly, the dog he came in with died despite the “best efforts” of the vets he was treated by.
Coco had to be sedated for four weeks to manage his withdrawal symptoms.
But, despite Coco’s unusual and extraordinary condition, he is now off all medication and starting a new life.
“Physically he seems to have recovered, mentally he is still very anxious at times,” said a spokesman for Woodside Animal Welfare Trust, an animal rehoming charity in Plymouth.
The dogs became dependent on alcohol when their owner left out drinks before he went to sleep, reported The Telegraph newspaper.
However, the trust said it is not clear what happened to Coco before he was rescued and how he, and his companion, got into this situation, but he has now been given another chance at life.
“No one knows the specifics on how these dogs got into the situation with alcohol, but we do know that without our care Coco would likely have not survived this heartbreaking ordeal,” said the trust
