Petroleum products are liquid mixtures of hydrocarbons that are present in certain rock strata and can be extracted and refined to produce fuels including gasoline, kerosene, and diesel oil; oil.
Petroleum hydrocarbon toxicosis refers to ingestion, inhalation of or skin contact with petroleum, petroleum condensate, gasoline, diesel fuel, kerosene, crude oil, or other hydrocarbon mixtures. This exposure causes a severe and disease-like reaction in the body of the affected dog.
Pets are more susceptible to petroluem toxicity through inhalation. When the solvents are breathed into the lungs, it causes a chemical pneumonia ( chemical pneumonitis) which can quite possible be life-threatening. Products that have an aromatic, ring-like chemical structure, such as benzene, are most likely to cause systemic toxicity (throughout the body).
Toxicity caused by petroleum products is based on the thinness and lightness of the product. Due to the ease of absorption, the thin, light products, such as gasoline, are more toxic than the thick, heavy products, such as motor oil.
Dogs may be exposed to petroleum products through exposure to accidental spills. Sometimes, people use petroleum products on the skin of dog to remove something like paint etc.
In petroleum toxicity, inducing vomiting should be strictly avoided since the ingested products may cause more harm coming back through esophagus than they did going down. Also, the dog may inhale toxic substances into lungs which can result in aspiration pneumonia.
Common symptoms associated with petroleum hydrocarbon toxicosis include:
Pet smells like a petroleum product
Fever
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Dizziness
Confusion
Depression
Difficulty breathing (i.e., choking, coughing, gagging)
Abdominal pain
Blue-purple colored skin/gums
Excessive salivation
Pawing at the muzzle
Champing the jaws
Head-shaking
Instability/trouble walking (ataxia)
Tremors and convulsions (rare)
Irregular heartbeat
Respiratory arrest
Loss of consciousness/comatose
Loss of all body functions
