Choking First Aid for Dogs

Dogs are always picking up objects with their mouths, such as balls, sticks, bones, etc. If your dog suddenly starts running around, acting wild and confused, he might be choking on something in his throat and tried to remove it. The following will explain how to tell if your dog choking and what to do if this happens.

1. Check for signs of choking:

- Does rubbing a dog leg to his mouth?
- Do dogs cough strongly and persistently?
- Does the dog drooling or choking?
- Is the dog breathing sound / voice wheezing or gasping?
- Are dog gums or lips turn blue or white?
- Is the dog vomiting?
- Does the dog whimpering in pain? looks so uncomfortable? look panicked?


2. Seek help immediately

 

If you suspect your dog choking or you are unsure whether your dog can breathe? (the dog will not be able to cough or make a sound if he was not breathing), contact your veterinarian immediately. You probably will be briefed for first aid before taking him to the vet immediately. Continue to help your dog until you can get help vets.

 

3. If your dog may cough, wait a while to see if your dog can cope alone with a cough to remove objects that are choking. Do this only if your dog looks still able to breathe properly. If any one of these symptoms appear such as breath sounds / wheezing, looks difficult, gasping), begin helping immediately.

 

4. Try your best to help your dog before he could get medical help. Try checking your dog's mouth and see what is in it. Open your dog's mouth slowly, remove the dog tongue with your finger if necessary, so you can see what is on the inside of his throat. If dark, use a flashlight.

 

For large dogs, before opening wide mouth must resist or limit first by holding the scruff of the neck between the dog's ear and holding the dog's head steady.
If you can find the things that make the dog choke, remove it with pliers or tweezers and remove it slowly.

Unless you can clearly see and reach / remove objects stuck in the throat on big dogs (ie, objects that are easily picked up and towed), and your dog is not in a state of panic, it is not advisable to insert your finger into the dog's mouth as it could you are at risk of snagging even make objects go deeper if you accidentally push it because they can not see it. In addition, you could be at risk if exposed to serious bites dog panic. If you can not remove objects stuck with certainty, then proceed to the next step.

5. Help your dog to remove objects that choked

 

For small to medium size dog, do the dog hind leg lifted. Hold the dog upside down and try to wiggle it down to remove the object stuck in his throat.

For large dogs, do by lifting her hind legs, but it was not until his body is taken out as is done in small and medium dogs (because it is impossible to do!). Lift the front of the hind legs, but feet still touch the ground (in the same way as holding a cart) and forward tilt.

 

6. When you are unable to remove stuck objects, try pressing the back

 

Use the heel of your hand, do 4-5 intense pressure on the dog between the shoulder blades.

7. If the above tips do not also able to help while your dog is still not received help vet and your dog can not breathe, you may have to consider doing the Heimlich maneuver on the method of your dog with the hope to remove objects / things that hinder his throat.

 

 Placing your hands on the waist dogs. Make sure that your dog's head pointing down. Make a fist with one hand and place your other hand to cover the fist. Place your hands on the belly and ribs dog (the soft part just below the rib cage). The size of the dog will affect the right position for your hand. However, if you have a small or medium dog, you should use two fingers at the same pressure so you do not damage your dog's ribs.

Give 3 to 5 boost / pressure quickly and firmly inwards and upwards. Repeat as often as necessary to remove objects / things that inhibit your dog's airway.

 

8. If you have not managed to remove it, make sure your dog to breathe normally. If not, then start CPR on your dog immediately.

 If your dog does not have a heartbeat, began to perform CPR on him.

 

9. Repeat the above procedure while waiting for veterinary assistance. Calm your dog and take your dog to the vet as quickly and safely as possible.