Wall Heaters

[bunnyjames]

Hi, guys it’s been a while since i’ve came in here to post but I have a question/problem and I know i can get some answers and recommendations here. I have a question regarding the wall heaters you see in some homes, you know the ones that run on gas. Well i had a big scare today early in the morning, Zoe sleeps in her cage downstairs during the night and about 2 weeks ago we had our wall heater fixed, it had not been turn on in 2 years since our winters haven’t gotten that cold that we need the wall heater. Anyways the gas company left it lit on since an inspector has to come and inspect the work done so the pilot has been on for the past few days. Zoe’s cage is about 5 feet away from the heater. Today in the morning when i was walking down the stairs i saw her have some sort of attack, I thought she was dying. Sort of like a seizure. When she stopped I opened the cage and her heart was beating really hard and she was breathing really fast and she felt sort of limp. She had been fine the day before eating, running, doing binkies and just being her goofy self. The first thing that popped into my head was the heater! so I ran outside with her in my arms and put her down on the grass and after 30 seconds or so she started hoppping and seemed to have regained strength. I thought my heater must be giving off high amount of carbon monoxide so I took out my kids and called the gas company to check it out. They came quick and they said everything was fine and out carbon monoxide alarm is working just fine. But after calming down, I remembered that one I was younger my mom brough in some parakeets we had cuz it was raining and she put them in the laundry room which is next to the kitchen, my mom was cooking at that time, and she had the oven, and the stovetop on our parakeets died a couple hours later, they had a type of seizure and didnt get back up. We were later told that what killed them was having so close the the kitchen while our gas stove was on. So now im worried and wondering if having our wall heater be poisonous to Zoe. Because even if our heater doesn’t have a carbon monoxide leak, maybe the normal small amounts of fumes that gas appliances release might be affecting Zoe, Is this possible??? She is totally fine now!! But now I’m scared to bring her in the house…. Any suggestions would be great. Also I just recently changed her litter to equine pine, so my next guess would be that is what might be affecting her. i dont know, but i’m really paranoid at this point.

[RabbitPam]

That’s a very scary episode. First, I’d advise you to take Zoe to the vet and have her checked over completely, explaining the symptoms she exhibited. You want to have a medical opinion about what may cause those types of symptoms. While there, explain what happened recently with the heater, her proximity to it, and ask if it could be related.

You can assume it’s going to be somewhat harmful and not wait for a diagnosis (though I would still keep an appointment asap) and move her to another area far from the heater, or preferably, to another room altogether.
If it’s possible that it’s another sort of leak, you want to have that checked out as well. It may not be leaking CM, but it may still be leaking or not have been repaired correctly. Her illness may have been an early warning sign.

[Bumblebunny]

I know carbon monoxide gas is heavier than air and will concentrate at floor level , which would definitely affect a small rabbit living on floor level, but there are other gases that may be given off with combustion. It might be a good idea to be sure the heater is venting properly. There should be no gases going into the room, everything should be going out of the building through a vent duct. Safest thing would be move Zoe. If you think it is the litter, you could switch. I know a long time ago you mentioned Yesterdays News.

 Any word on how her babies are doing since they have been adopted??

[BinkyBunny]

Regarding your mom cooking and the parakeets. Do you remember if your mom used a non-stick pan? I know that the chemicals given off from a non-stick pan (if it gets too hot/burns) that it can quickly kill birds. I don’t know what is going on with the heater/gas, and that is really scary. When the gas company came out, did they themselves do any sort of testing? By then was the house aired out a bit?? You might close things up (take the bunny out of course), and then have them come again. Usually the carbon-monoxide alarms are pretty sensitive, but I wonder what levels set it off and if a bunny is more sensitive and therefore will get sick prior to the alarm going off???

Edited to add: Just talked to my husband who knows much more about this and he said that it is possible for even low levels of CM to pool at the floor level (as Bumblebunny suggested) — which can then be made worse if there is no ventilation and no air movement.  You can solve that problem by getting an oscillating fan.  However, of course, you want to make sure there is no other serious issue going on either. 

This is a great reminder for us because we have the wall heater too and right by the bunny room — However, our house is older, from the 1920’s and can get stuffy quickly, so we always have windows cracked and fans going a few times a day.  However, your post is a great safety reminder!

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

Wow how scary! I ditto-I’d close the house up and have them come test it again; and look at alternative arrangements for Zoe -another room would be ideal.

[bunnyjames]

Okay so I want to give you guys a little update. First I took Zoe to the vet, and the Vet said she was perfectly healthy, a little on heavy side (might be a little my fault, lol) but otherwise heart, lungs, and tummy sounded great. She did some xrays to verify and internally everything looks fine. I told her what had happened and she recommended that I move Zoe from where she was. 2nd called the Gas company again to come and check things out again and the gas company along with a city inspector came and everything seems fine. But I’m still extremely paranoid because it’s scary to think how a little bit of carbon monoxide can affect a small animal, it makes me think of the harm it might cause my kids in the long-run. I’m planning of having the wall heater completely removed, It just makes me too nervous. and regarding the question of the parakeet, YES! my mom was using a non-stick pan So basically all fingers point to the wall heater being the culprit for Zoe’s very scary episode. I changed her litter just in case, but the vet said that what I explained to her, her having a seizure where she was struggling to breath and the fact that her body became completely limp and seemed disorientated and weak after being put outside seems she might have some sort of carbon monoxide poisoning. She is completely fine now, eating, drinking, running, doing binkies and trying to sneak a bite of the groceries that have been left in the floor. lol!!!! It was just amazing how she very slowly started regaining strength and conscience once I took her outside. Vet said small animals should not be kept in close proximity of gas running appliances, so Zoe will be moving upstairs and sharing an office with the hubby Thanks so much guys!!!! I was really freaking out. It is just unbelievable because the night before she was PERFECTLY fine!! I’m just thankful I was up when it happened and that she lasted all night.

[LittlePuffyTail]

Very scary!!! Glad you are moving her. I’m sure she will be lots of help around your hubby’s office. 

[Author]

Messages