My Dog ​​is Choking: What Do I Do?

Surely you have noticed that more than once your dog plays with small objects by swallowing them, or gets stuck in tight places and full of objects, getting stuck between ropes and cables. These kinds of situations, which can lead to choking, can be dangerous for your dog and sometimes even fatal.

Choking in dogs consists of asphyxiation caused by the ingestion of a foreign object such as parts of a toy or a bone.

In general, getting stuck in the throat, the object causes extreme difficulty in breathing, nausea, retching and increased salivation. There may also be cough, blue color in the skin and mucous membranes (cyanosis) and, ultimately, the collapse of our little friend.

What should I do if my pet suffocates?

Time is of vital importance when dealing with an airway obstruction. Carrying out first aid maneuvers and getting your pet to the vet urgently could save your dog’s life.

First of all, to avoid this type of risky situation, it will be necessary to insist on the preventive aspect. Dogs of all ages can be exposed to this type of inconvenience. Therefore, avoid leaving small objects on the ground within reach of your pet.

If you realize your dog is choking, don’t panic. Even if it’s not easy, take it easy. If the object in question is a cord, string, or other item that has twisted around its neck, carefully use scissors to cut the object.

If he has swallowed something, open his mouth and look inside. An object in the mouth, such as a stick or piece of bone, can be pulled out with a pair of forceps or broken to release pressure.

If you spot a solid object located in the back of the throat (for example leather), do not push the object with your fingers, otherwise you will risk pushing it even deeper. Always use pliers.

Do not tap your fingers in the dog’s throat if there is no need, as this could damage the delicate tissues found in the back of the throat.

Large objects, such as leather balls, can sometimes be removed by applying firm pressure with both thumbs at the base of the throat, under the jaw. This pressure will push the object forward and pull it out.

If you realize that the previous measures have not worked, you will need to see a veterinarian as soon as possible. If your dog cannot breathe in the car, you can perform the Heimlich maneuver.

Do not do this unless you notice that the animal has slumped and cannot breathe, as this maneuver could cause damage to the chest. If this is the case, once the dog arrives at the veterinary office, he will have to undergo an examination to verify that he does not have any broken ribs.

In most cases, removing the obstruction will allow the dog to resume breathing normally and on its own.

If not, perform CPR with approximately 120 chest compressions per minute, and continue in this way. If the item does not remove, rush to the vet immediately.

Treatment

Author: Rodrigo Soldon 2

Once you arrive at the clinic, your doctor will confirm that your dog is choking. You can therefore continue to sedate the animal to reduce its pains and to facilitate the examination of the mouth and throat, so that any object can be easily extracted.

If the obstruction is total, the vet can opt for an emergency tracheostomy – a quick procedure that allows him to pass a tube from the neck directly into the trachea, bypassing the obstruction and creating an alternative airway until it is cleared. the obstruction.

And what happens next? Some dogs bite their tongue themselves, so it may have some abrasions.

Dogs that have received the Heimlich maneuver will need to be examined to rule out the presence of chest injury.

Finally, injuries inside the mouth or throat can take many days to heal, and can also make it difficult or painful for the dog to eat food.

In this case, the food will need to be minced with a blender and warm water to make digestion much easier.