Every year, over 200,000 pets in the United States experience choking incidents. This article will help you to be prepared and not add to that statistic. Choking incidents lead to millions of dollars in veterinary costs and, tragically, many preventable deaths. Being equipped with the knowledge to respond if your dog is choking or unresponsive can save their life!
How to Prevent Choking
Dogs are naturally curious and use their mouths for just about everything. As a result, they are susceptible to life-threatening choking incidents. Preventing a choking incident is always better than dealing with an emergency. By being proactive and taking necessary precautions, pet owners can ensure their dogs’ safety and prevent choking incidents.
To minimize the risk of choking, dog owners should always supervise their dogs while playing with toys or chewing on treats like bully sticks. Be cautious of items that break apart and make sure toys and treats are the right size for your pet, avoiding anything too small or too large. When selecting toys, make sure the diameter is larger than the width of your pet’s jaw and that it cannot fit entirely inside the mouth.
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Some common choking hazards for dogs include:
- Balls or squeaker toys
- Sticks and wood splinters
- Rope toys that are breaking apart
- Bully sticks
- Food packaging
- Cooked bones
Be Aware of the Warning Signs
Dog owners should be alert to the warning signs of choking in dogs so they can act quickly. Swift action and knowing what to do is crucial to prevent organ failure and respiratory collapse, which can cause irreversible brain damage if not treated promptly. Learn more at National Pet Choking Prevention Day.
Signs Your Dog May Be Choking:
- Coughing or Gagging
- Pawing at the Face
- Excessive Salivation
- Difficulty Breathing
- Panic and Distress
What to do if your dog is choking
If you determine that your dog is choking, stay calm and assess the A-B-Cs:
Airway: Open the jaw and examine the mouth and throat for trapped food or foreign objects. If you find something, gently remove it with your finger. Do not reach down the dog’s throat, as this could injure the dog or push an obstruction further in. If you cannot clear the obstruction, begin administering the Heimlich maneuver.
Breathing: Observe the dog’s breathing by watching the chest rise or feeling airflow near the nose. If breathing is detected, the Heimlich maneuver and CPR are not required. If breathing is not detected, proceed to CPR.
Cardiac: Lay the dog on its right side and feel the left side of the chest or inside the back leg for a heartbeat. If you do not detect a heartbeat, proceed to CPR.
Even if you were able to remove the object from your dog’s throat and your dog is no longer choking, you should call your vet immediately. The dog may have experienced oxygen deprivation, which could lead to complications. Choking can cause painful damage to your dog’s throat and mouth, which may not be immediately visible. Your vet may recommend hospitalization or a bronchoscopy to check your dog’s throat for damage.
Heimlich Maneuver
If your attempts to clear the item causing your dog to choke with your finger prove unsuccessful, the next step is to perform the Heimlich maneuver, tailored to your dog’s size. If possible, try to get your vet on the phone to walk you through the process:
For Smaller Dogs:
There are two techniques:
- Lift the dog with their back against your front. Use the thumb side of your fist on the soft spot just under the ribs and apply a gentle inward and upward thrust.
- Lay the dog on its back. Find the soft spot just under the ribs and gently press on it with the heel of your hand.
For Medium and Large Dogs:
There are two techniques:
- Hold the dog upright with their back to your front, find the soft spot under the ribcage, and use your fist to thrust inwards and upwards.
- Lay the dog on their side and find the soft spot under the ribs. Then, supporting them from the back, press a fist upwards and inwards towards their spine.
After performing the Heimlich, lay the dog on its side and examine the mouth and throat again for obstructions. If the dog is not breathing, begin CPR.
CPR For Dogs
Dog CPR is a life-saving procedure that involves the use of artificial respirations and chest compressions to revive an unresponsive dog that has stopped breathing or has no heartbeat. Before administering CPR, ensure that the airway is clear. If possible, get your vet on the phone to walk you through the process.
CPR is comprised of two components: chest compressions and rescue breaths. CPR should be performed in an alternating cycle of 30 chest compressions and two rescue breaths.
Chest Compressions
- Position your hands on the dog’s chest.
- For small dogs, place your hands on the rib cage about ⅓ of the way down and press with your thumbs and fingers.
- For larger dogs, Place your palms on the broadest part of the rib cage about ¼ of the way down on the chest and press with your hands.
- Firmly compress the chest at least ⅓ but no more than ½ of its width, being cautious not to over-compress for small dogs.
- Compress the chest steadily for about 30 compressions. Use a mental rhythm guide, such as the beat of “Stayin’ Alive,” to maintain the correct pace.
- Perform two rescue breaths.
Rescue Breaths
- Begin by closing your pet’s mouth.
- Place your mouth over the nostrils and create a seal. Then, blow hard and quickly, ensuring you see your pet’s chest move.
- Allow your pet to exhale before repeating the process for one more breath.
- Perform 30 chest compressions.
Repeat these steps until the dog begins breathing on its own.
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