CO2 does not stay in the body's system. It disolves in the blood and is broken down. Asphixiation occurs when the rat succumbs to lack of oxygen. A small animal like a rat does not react to CO2 in the same manner as humans - their metabolism is too high. They breathe the CO2 and die almost immediately. That's why it only takes 3-4 minutes for rats to die - it takes a lot longer for a human to asphixiate from CO2. But even so, the fact that the CO2 does not remain in the bloodstream is a proven fact. This is why people can survive CO2 poisoning if they get help in time.
Sorry if that sounds kind of rambling - it's been a long day, lol.....
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