Choking is a very real hazard for dogs. Why? Because they’ll eat just about anything. They’re like perpetual two-year-olds putting everything in their mouths. It can be a bone or a sock or a shoe. Here’s an important question: Would you know what to do if your dog started to choke? This is one time where you cannot wait for veterinary assistance, you need to know how to perform the Heimlich maneuver on your choking dog.
Symptoms
A dog who is suffocating will panic. If she suddenly tears around the house for no apparent reason try to get hold of her and find out what’s wrong. If she paws at her mouth, something could be lodged in her throat. Obviously, if your dog is unconscious, first check her throat or mouth for foreign objects. Any small object can cause a choking hazard for a dog. Small, rubber balls like super balls, sticks or even gristle from meat can cause a problem.
What to Do
If your dog is panicking, protect yourself by restraining her, but not putting a muzzle on her. First, using both hands, pry open her mouth gently. Then, keep one hand on her upper jaw and one on the lower jaw. Look inside her mouth and see if you can find anything that is obstructing her airway. Remove any object you see immediately.
Dr. Steve Weinberg from Pets911 explained on HuffPost Live that performing the Heimlich maneuver on your pup isn’t easy if you’re untrained. But, here’s how to do it the right way:
First you’ll want to hold your dog on your lap. Then, apply pressure to her abdomen just behind the ribcage, pushing the air forward. You can also grab underneath your pup’s armpits to and apply rapid, but gently pressure to see if something pops out.
Prevention
The best way to prevent choking is to treat your pet like a small child. Keep an eye on their chew toys and avoid giving your dog any bones from meat. Having a dog choking on an object is frightening but you can help save the day by performing one of these maneuvers.
