It is an unfortunate fact that dogs frequently choke. Their inquisitive nature encourages them to chew on anything and everything they can–from sticks and rocks to socks and toys. Often in their zeal at playtime or their hurry to devour a food they love; they can choke and panic very quickly.
When is Coughing Actually Choking?
Choking happens when something obstructs your dog’s airway. A partial blockage may leave your puppy retching, pacing and pawing at their mouth. If the airway is totally blocked, they will not be able to make any sound at all and will quickly become unconscious.
Always Consider a Choking Episode to be an Emergency
Whether you can reach in and free the obstruction yourself or you rush your dog to a veterinarian right away, choking should always be taken seriously. In this blog post, the vets at Jacksonville Community Pet Clinic offer some advice for safely rendering first aid to a choking dog.
Step 1: Gently Restrain Your Dog to Prevent Being Bitten
But never muzzle your dog. A dog that’s struggling to breath is already in panic mode. It’s often best to put your dog on its side. It’s also best to have someone help you hold your dog down so they can remain as calm as possible.
Step 2: Open Their Mouth Widely and Do a Finger Sweep
Often you can see the object at the back of the throat. You can reach in with your hand or use a long tweezer, tongs, or even needle-nose pliers to grasp and dislodge the item. Just be VERY careful not to push it further down the throat.
Step 3: If You Can’t Dislodge The Item, Perform a Heimlich Maneuver
On puppies and small dogs, this means picking them up their head up and paws down, holding its back against your stomach. Then find the soft hollow under the rib cage and push up with your first.
For larger dogs, you would lay them on their side, and kneel behind their back. Place your closed fist under the hollow under the rib cage and push upward and inward sharply in the direction of the dog’s head. This should force air out of the lungs to help expel the invader. Remove the object once dislodged.
Step 4: If Your Dog Doesn’t Resume Breathing, Perform CPR
By performing rescue breaths and chest compressions, you can help restore your dogs breathing. It may be necessary to continue performing CPR on the way to the vet as well. Should this not work, quickly take your dog to the nearest veterinarian. Be sure to call first to let them know you are coming so they can be prepared to help upon arrival.
Step 5: Always Take Your Dog For a Follow-Up Vet Visit After a Serious Choking Incident
He or she may have damage to the mouth and throat, or there might be other items that made their way into the digestive tract. At Jacksonville Community Pet Clinics, we typically treat choking after-care with medications to help prevent infection, manage swelling, and reduce pain.
What If Your Dog Chokes on “Nothing”?
Sometimes, choking isn’t a result of a foreign object at all and could be due to an allergy or toxic substance such as a plant, essential oil, or other. If a dog goes into anaphylactic shock, it can cause the same symptoms as choking as the airway is compromised.
We can help you determine if your dog has chewed on a toxic plant or perhaps has absorbed chemicals like fertilizer or pesticides. By assessing fecal samples, blood tests, and physical veterinarian exams, our vets can help you determine the cause of the discomfort and provide the right treatment.
At the Jacksonville Community Pet Clinic, our goal is to help your dog stay healthy for many wonderful years of love and companionship. We can help guide you in the basics of first aid for your dog so you can better help your fur baby in times of distress.
