What To Do If Your Dog Is Choking!

The other day I was asked what should they do if their pet was choking. I figured this would be a good subject to write about.

Dogs are curious — second only to exploring with their noses, they use their mouths to investigate new and interesting things. Dogs can choke on just about anything that is the size of the opening to the trachea, but the most common offenders are small balls, rawhide and real bones, cellophane, and children’s plastic toys.

A choking dog makes retching motions and will look panicked, often pacing back and forth and pawing at Its mouth. the dogs chest may be heaving but it isn't making any airway noises. If your dog is still breathing go directly to the Vet!

Fortunately, a foreign body in the larynx is not common. Most objects are expelled by the pet itself by forceful coughing

If you think your dog is choking, and unable to breath, Open your dogs mouth, pull out its tongue as far as you can, sweep your fingers from side to side, grasp the object, and remove it.

If the object cannot be easily removed, do not try to get around it with your fingers. This will force it further down the throat. Instead, proceed to the Heimlich Maneuver.


Do Not Remove String Or Thread From Your Pets Throat! It May Have A Needle Or Hook Attached To The Other End!!! Proceed Directly To Your Vets Office Or Emergency Clinic!!!



                              K-9 Heimlich Maneuver

Large Dog Technique 

Do not try to pick up, shake, or swing a large dog; you're more likely to do further damage due to the animal's size. Instead, perform the equivalent of the Heimlich maneuver:


1.  If the dog is standing, put your arms around her belly, joining your hands. Make a fist and     

     push firmly up and forward, just behind the rib cage. Place the dog on his side afterward.

2.  If the dog is lying down, place one hand on the back for support and use the other hand to     

     squeeze the abdomen upwards and forwards.

3.  Check the dog's mouth and remove any objects that may have been dislodges with your        

     fingers.

Note that the object might be quite a way back towards the throat, so you might have to hunt around and hook it out with your finger. 

Credit: Photograph courtesy of Angela Koeller



Small Dog Technique

1.  Kneel behind the dog, with the dog facing away from you.

2.  Put your arms around the dog's waist.

3.  Instead of making a fist, use a few knuckles of one hand and place them just below your 

     dog's last set of ribs on the soft part of the abdomen.

4.  Place your other hand flat on the dog's back to keep him steady.

5.  Give a quick, hard poke with your knuckles.

6.  Press in and up four to five times gently, in a thrusting motion. Do not repeat more than 

     four to five times.

7.  If the dog is lying down, place one hand on the back for support and use the other hand to 

     squeeze the abdomen upwards and forwards.

8.  Check the dog's mouth and remove any objects that may have been dislodged with your 

     fingers.

Note that the object might be quite a way back towards the throat, so you might have to hunt around and hook it out with your finger. 

Credit: Photograph courtesy of Angela Koeller




It is likely objects stuck in the throat have caused damage. Depending on the length of time the dog was without oxygen and the damage to the throat, the dog may require hospitalization for a few days. In some cases, bronchoscopy (whereby a small camera is inserted into the windpipe to visualize and remove the foreign body) may be recommended.



Prevention

The best way to prevent choking is to treat your dog as you would a small child. Although it’s almost impossible to stop them putting things in their mouth, you should always be present and keep an eye on what they’re chewing. Avoid moisture-swollen chew toys or sticks.