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If you’ve ever witnessed a dog choking, you know how scary the experience can be. Those few tense seconds of wondering what to do before the dogs get it up himself are terrifying and stressful, for both you and the dog. Knowing what to do if your dog chokes can save you from panicking and doing the wrong thing.
One of the most important steps that some people overlook or do incorrectly is trying to identify what is in your dog’s mouth. Gently open your dog’s mouth with one hand on his lower jaw and another on his upper jaw. Do not blindly reach around for something in your dog’s mouth and try to pull it out. Dog’s have tiny bones in the back of their mouth that connect their tongue to their jaw – pulling on these can do severe damage. If you see an object in your dog’s mouth, try to pull it out. If you are unsuccessful on the first or second try, move on to the next step. You do not want to lodge the object even deeper into your dog’s throat.
If you have a small dog, you can hold him upside down to perform the Heimlich Maneuver on your dog. If your dog is a larger breed and unable to be held, lay him on the ground with his back end lifted higher than his head. Try placing a rolled up towel, blanket or pillow under his back end if you do not have someone to hold it for you.
Place each hand on either side of your dog’s body directly below their last rib. You must be below the ribs to expel the air in your dog’s lungs and avoid breaking any ribs.
Once you have found his last set of ribs, push your hands together in quick, sharp bursts about 3 to 5 times.
This pressure should expel the object from your dog’s throat. Immediately retrieve it from your dog’s mouth to avoid him inadvertently inhaling it again.
If after doing this maneuver one or two times the object does not dislodge, immediately make your way to the nearest veterinarian for help.
A vet appointment should be made even if you can successfully dislodge the object on your own to ensure there is not any internal damage done to the throat.
Seeing your dog in a perilous situation is terrifying for all dog owners. Knowing what to do and how to do it can save your dog’s life.
And remember – no matter how hard it is – stay calm! Being frantic and panicked will not help anyone, especially your dog.
Tags: dog choking, heimlich maneuver for dogs, what to do if your dog chokes
