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Some law enforcement officers in the Pittsburgh, PA, region have started carrying naloxone in case a K-9 falls ill while sniffing out drugs during detection work, such as raids and searches of cars and homes, reports the Tribune-Review.

A few K-9 handlers said while the dose they carry isn't designed for an animal, they would use it in an emergency.

Pennsylvania State trooper handlers will be trained this month to administer naloxone to their K-9s, a spokesman said.

"It's very concerning," said Westmoreland County Sheriff Jon Held, whose department has a 4-year-old Belgian Malinois K-9 named Diesel. "Fentanyl and carfentanil can be absorbed through the skin and also inhaled through the air. The dog's taught to sniff."

With a prescription from a veterinarian for specific police dogs, human naloxone can be used on them, the Food and Drug Administration says.