Dogs will usually use their mouths to explore the world, and luckily their anatomy has a safety system so choking is rare. However, this doesn't mean a dog won't choke, and you also need to be able to tell a choking dog from a dog who is sick or has other problems. You probably won't have time to call your vet in a life-threatening emergency, which means you'll need to be able to provide first aid yourself. However, if your dog feels uncomfortable but is not in danger, the better option is to remain calm and seek the help of your veterinarian. This article will explain how you can determine if your dog is choking, and if so, what you should do about it.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Evaluating Your Dog
Step 1. See if your dog is coughing
At first, if your dog can cough up the object, wait a few moments to see if your dog will be able to expel the disturbance on its own.
- Only wait for this possibility if your dog seems to be still breathing well.
- If your dog seems short of breath, has difficulty breathing, or has difficulty breathing, contact your veterinarian immediately.
Step 2. Check for signs of choking
Dogs will exhibit several behaviors to let them know they can't breathe. The next time you try to see if the dog is choking, start by calming them down first - the more he panics, the more oxygen he will need and will make the situation worse. Signs of a choking dog include:
- Choking or drooling excessively (note if your dog can swallow; if you can, it's less likely to have an object blockage)
- Standing in the “airless position” where the head and neck are lowered and in a straight line
- Acting with extreme panic and agitation, pawing at his mouth, and groaning
- Forced coughing, difficulty breathing, or gasping for air
- Gums turn gray or blue
- There is an object that can be seen at the back of the throat
- Exaggerated chest movement
- Faint
- Loss of consciousness
Step 3. Help your dog to swallow
This is a very useful strategy to see if your dog is really choking.
- You can do this by gently stroking your dog's throat or by pressing on his nostrils.
- If he seems to be still after swallowing, then this means he is not choking and is not in any danger.
Step 4. Look into the dog's mouth
By visually examining your dog's mouth, you can see if there is an object blocking his breathing and act accordingly.
- Open his mouth slowly by pressing the upper lip inward through the large molars at the back of the mouth. At the same time, press the jaw down to open the mouth wider.
- Look down the throat as far as possible - it helps if you have a flashlight or ask someone else to hold your dog. You can find any obstruction such as a piece of bone or a stick.
- For large dogs, you should hold them while opening their mouths wide. Do this by holding the mane hair between the ears and holding the dog's head steady.
- If you can see something in your throat, try to pick it up with pliers and remove it. You have to be very careful not to push the object any deeper.
Step 5. Call the vet
You should call your veterinarian if your dog is choking, shows signs that he is choking, or is having trouble breathing. The exception to this rule is when your dog is completely unconscious or loses consciousness. In this case, you should immediately do whatever first aid you can do.
- You may be advised of first aid procedures while waiting for emergency assistance and you may be asked to take your pet to the clinic immediately.
- If you are unable to reach your veterinarian, seek veterinary assistance in the 24-hour emergency department. Their number is usually in the phone book, or you can call your local welfare or rescue agency for details. Doctors or emergency veterinary hospitals are usually available in major cities.
- The local emergency number will usually give you the emergency number for the ASPCA (American society that prevents animal cruelty) or the Humane Society (animal protection organization). They have an emergency vet who can help you over the phone.
Step 6. Seek someone's help
Whether you're taking your dog to the vet or trying first aid, it's a good idea to get someone to help you.
- If you have to drive to take your pet to the emergency vet, it's a good idea to have someone accompany your dog to provide first aid if the situation worsens.
- If your vet asks you to remove the object yourself, it's best if you do it with someone else's help.
Step 7. Avoid other causes
Since you'll be making things worse by giving your dog some help that your dog doesn't need, you need to make sure your dog is choking and is in danger, not just choking. The following are situations where your dog may act like he is choking.
- Long soft palate: A characteristic anatomy that is often found in most dogs is a tongue or soft palate that is too large for their mouth. This is especially true of brachycephalic dogs (dogs with short noses and baby-like faces) such as the Pug, Pekingese, Lhasa Apso, and Shih Tzu, although this can also occur in smaller breeds such as the Poodle, West Highland White Terrier, Dachshund., Spitz, and Pomeranians. The result is that when the animal takes a strong breath, it physically sucks the tip of the soft palate into the windpipe. This will temporarily narrow or block the windpipe, and the dog will make a dramatic series of grunting or gasping sounds as if he were choking. This is only a momentary crisis because by the time the dog swallows, the soft palate will flip out of the windpipe and the dog can breathe normally again. If you're not sure, try feeding the dog. If he takes and swallows the food, then this means he is not choking.
- Kennel Cough: Kennel cough is an infection that causes the respiratory tract to become sore, inflamed and uncomfortable. Even the simple act of breathing in cool air can tickle the throat and trigger a cough. This cough is usually dramatic and often mistaken for something stuck in the throat. Again, check to see if the dog can swallow by offering him food. If he can swallow, then he is very unlikely to choke. However, you should call your vet and see if they recommend doing a kennel cough test.
- Heart disease: An enlarged heart that compresses the airways or heart failure will sometimes mimic the symptoms of choking. The dog may be breathing in an agitated manner, coughing and may even have blue gums. This condition will be more difficult to distinguish from choking, but in general, the signs will develop slowly, the dog will become more lethargic and less energetic during the previous day or two. On the other hand, choking Dogs will become much more active and entangled and will usually occur suddenly.
Part 2 of 3: Removing the Thing
Step 1. Remove interference with pliers or tweezers
If you can see an object blocking your airway and your vet advises you to do so, try to slowly remove the obstruction.
- You should only remove a nuisance when you can clearly see the object and can reach it and if your dog is not panicking. If you can't see the object clearly then you run the risk of pushing the object deeper.
- If the dog is in a panic, then you are likely to be bitten. Better head to the hospital or emergency vet immediately.
Step 2. Help your dog get it out
Gravity can help your dog get rid of nuisance objects. To help, you should hold your dog upside down and try to shake the object to get it out.
- Pick up a small or medium sized dog by holding its hind legs. Hold the dog upside down and try to shake the object out of its mouth with the help of gravity.
- You can't hold a large dog upside down, so it's better to keep the front paws on the ground and lift the hind legs (the same way you hold a cart) and tilt the dog forward.
Step 3. Pat on the back
If you can't help your dog remove the object by tilting it forward, you can pat the dog on the back vigorously to remove the stuck object.
- Using your heels, give your dog 4-5 strong blows on the center of your dog's shoulder blades. Be careful not to apply excessive blows to the small dog, as this will crack the ribs and threaten the dog's life if the broken ribs puncture his lungs.
- If this doesn't work at first, try again.
Step 4. Consider using the Heimlich maneuver (a standard method for removing foreign bodies that cause choking)
Since this method will easily injure your dog, use it ONLY when all other methods have been tried.
- Only use the Heimlich maneuver if you are certain that your dog is choking.
- Place your arm around the dog's waist. Make sure the dog's head is facing downwards as gravity will help remove the object while you are doing this procedure.
- Make sure you hold the dog tightly, but not too tightly.
- It's best to have someone hold the dog by the scruff of the neck when you do this as it can help keep the dog steady and can restrain the panicking dog.
- Make a fist and use your other hand to close the fist. Your clenched fists should be aimed at the soft spot just below the broken bone. The size of the dog will affect the correct position for your hand.
- If you have a small to medium sized dog, you're better off using 2 fingers instead of a fist (keep using the same force) so you don't break the Dog's ribs.
- Give 3-5 stabs in and up quickly and firmly. Repeat 3-5 sets with 3-4 stabs.
- Be careful and do not use excessive force as it will crack the ribs or rupture the Dog's spleen.
Part 3 of 3: Dealing with Post-Event Impacts
Step 1. Check if your dog can breathe normally after you remove the object
If not, immediately perform artificial respiration for him.
- If your dog's pulse stops beating. Start doing CPR (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation) on your Dog.
- If your dog needs resuscitation, do what you can immediately and get someone to contact your veterinarian for further instructions.
Step 2. Take your dog to the vet
Even if you can get the object out, it's still a good idea to take your pet to the vet to check for further problems or injuries.
- Calm your dog and take him to the vet as quickly and safely as possible.
- Watch your dog to make sure he can breathe normally again.
Tips
- If you are alone when your dog begins to choke, call a neighbor or someone who can help immediately.
- Before administering first aid to your dog, make sure that he is choking and not suffering from another disease. Examine these symptoms carefully.
- You can cut off the spiked end using pliers to remove the fish hook from the dog's mouth or tongue. However, this should only be done by a veterinarian using a sedative.
Warning
- Be careful when removing the bone. Bones that can break easily can cause more problems, including piercing the respiratory tract, etc.
- Stay calm and still or you may make the choking worse.
- The Heimlich maneuver can cause serious injury to your dog, especially if your dog is not actually choking. Do not use this method unless you are sure that the dog cannot breathe and that there is no other way.
