Last night, as I was sitting at the computer, I heard an awful hacking from the bedroom. For a very frightening second, I thought I was going to need to do the Heimlich maneuver on Moose! I ran to his side just in time to watch him spit up a half-chewed rawhide. Yummy! But this is probably a good time to review what to do if your pet is choking.
1. Determine if your pet is choking, or just coughing. If he is coughing, there’s still air going in. Trying to help could injure him. If he’s choking, there is little or no air going in. This is when your pet needs you.
2. Remove collars, as any constriction on the throat could be adding to your pet’s distress.
3. Keep in mind that your pet will be frantic and upset – you may need someone to help restrain your pet. If your pet can still partially breathe, it’s best to keep him calm and take him to the vet for attention.
4. If your pet is completely unable to breathe, open your pet’s mouth and pull the tongue forward to see if an obstruction is visible. Reach into your pet’s mouth and do a finger sweep. Be gentle! If you can see or feel a foreign object, carefully attempt to remove it. If it is lodged firmly, do not try to force it – you could cause damage to your pet’s throat.
5. If your pet is small enough to lift, hold them upside down by the back legs. The position change may be enough to dislodge whatever is choking them.
6. If your pet is too large to lift, lay them on their side. Kneel with your legs against his back. Push up under his ribcage with your fist in a Heimlich-like maneuver. Do not apply too much force, or you can injure him!
7. Call your vet immediately, even if you can clear your pet’s windpipe. He may have internal injuries that may require attention.
You can minimize choking risks by making sure your pet has access only to appropriate toys and treats. A rawhide or toy that is too small can be a choking hazard. For extra-large dogs, even a tennis ball can be dangerous!