German Shepherd is Latest Family Pet Saved Thanks to Fire Department’s Pet Oxygen Masks

By Office of Communication

Posted on April 22, 2016, April 22, 2016

Zarek, a 3-year-old German Shepherd, reunites Friday with the Arlington firefighters who helped save his life with a pet oxygen mask.

Fire trucks in Arlington, Texas carry a variety of lifesaving equipment, from fire hose and axes to defibrillators and medications. One piece of equipment you may not have known about is the pet oxygen mask.

In 2006, the Dog Scouts of America, Troop 119 donated 10 pet oxygen mask kits to the Arlington Fire Department. These masks are designed to fit over the snout of an animal to effectively deliver life-saving oxygen. They are most often used to treat an animal that is rescued from a house fire and suffering from smoke inhalation. The kits include three sizes to fit snouts of all types. Just a couple of months after the masks were received, firefighters put one into action to save a Chihuahua that was rescued from an apartment fire.

Two years later, the Troop donated enough masks for all the fire engines in the city.

"Our dogs are part of our family. The animal oxygen masks give our dogs the best chance of survival from smoke inhalation once the firefighters are able to remove them from the house. I would always want to be sure the firefighters in my neighborhood had access to this equipment," said Cindy Ratliff from Troop 119.

In the past 10 years, Arlington Fire Department has used these masks on numerous occasions. In some cases, they helped to revive a dying family pet. Sadly there are instances when, despite our best efforts, we are unsuccessful. In all cases, we wholeheartedly agree that these masks give the pet the very best possible chance for survival.

"Fire Fighters do some amazing things, particularly with regard to the life saving measures they perform. For many people, pets are an integral part of their daily lives and are considered member of their families. Rescuing an animal from a fire requires the right equipment and training - Arlington's Fire Fighters have both," Arlington Mayor Pro Tempore Sheri Capehart said. "The specially designed masks that fit the faces of cats, dogs and other animals are vital to provide the life saving oxygen. Arlington Fire Fighters have what it takes to save the lives of people and their pets and the compassion to do it well."

The Arlington Fire Department received the Compassionate Fire Department Award from PETA in October of 2012.

Since 2005, Troop 119 has donated more than 175 kits to more than 30 North Texas fire departments. They also supply kits to Texas Task Force 1, an elite search and rescue team, for their search and rescue canines. Visit dsatroop119.org for more information about Dog Scouts of America, Troop 119.

The mask was most recently put into use in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 17th. Crews arrived on scene of a house fire and were advised that the family's 3-year-old German Shepherd was still trapped instead. The crew from Engine 2 stretched hoselines to attack the fire while Quint 6 entered the thick black smoke in search of the family pet. Within minutes, Zarek was carried from the home unconscious and struggling to breathe. Firefighters from Engines 6 and 12 came to the aid of Zarek. They gave him oxygen through the pet O2 mask and were able to start an IV to give him fluids. Zarek regained consciousness and was transported inside of Fire Engine 12 to Veterinary Referral and Emergency Hospital of Arlington (VREHA). He received excellent care that included extensive lab work, breathing treatments, and therapy in a hyperbaric oxygen chamber to treat Carbon Monoxide poisoning. Zarek is expected to make a full recovery thanks to the efforts of many people from multiple organizations.

Rachael Worster, the Hospital Manager and Critical Care Veterinary Technician of VREHA, explains what oxygen therapy does for an animal suffering from smoke inhalation:

"Pets exposed to any amount of smoke from a fire can have a range of trauma to the lungs, mouth, snout, and airway. Everyone has heard of the "critical hour" after any trauma. During this hour, the quicker we can provide stabilization, the more likely we are to have a better outcome. With the fire departments being able to provide immediate oxygen therapy via the pet 02 masks, this immediately begins the stabilization process. In time of trauma or shock, providing supplemental oxygen is vital to life and the first course of treatment. The oxygen provided help pets breathe easier and aids in providing circulation to the heart, brain, and extremities."

The ripple effects of this most recent rescue have been far-reaching. The story went viral over social media and multiple stories aired on local news. People touched by the story and concerned for their own pets reached out to the Arlington Fire Department to find out how they could donate masks to their local fire departments. This incident helped raise awareness across the country. We believe that many more animals' lives may be saved as a direct result.