WHAT TO DO IF YOUR DOG CHOKES

If you can see the lodged object, swipe your fingers across the back of your dog’s throat and try to remove it. This is generally the quickest solution, but being bitten is a risk.

If you cannot remove the object by hand, try the Heimlich maneuver: if your dog is small enough to lift, hold him upright in your arms, wrap your hands directly under his rib cage, and give one forceful squeeze. If your dog is too large to lift or is unconscious, lay him on his side, place both of your hands just behind his bottom rib and press down quickly once or twice.

As a last resort, try cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) while someone drives you to the veterinary hospital. CPR is normally only used for a dog that isn’t breathing and has no pulse. Place your dog on his right side. Remember the “ABCs” of CPR. Airway: open the dog’s airway by extending his head and neck, pull his tongue to one side, clear mucus from his nose and mouth, and then use your hand to swipe the back of his throat. Breathing: hold your dog’s mouth shut put your mouth over his nostrils and blow four times. Circulation: place one hand on top of the other with the heel of the bottom hand at the point where your dog’s front elbow meets his chest. Press firmly. Perform five compressions, and then give four breaths. Repeat. Continue CPR until you can detect a strong pulse or you arrive at the hospital.

TIP: To prevent choking, avoid all real bones and rawhide. Be sure chew toys are twice as long as the distance from your dog’s chin to the top of his head so they are too big to get stuck in his throat.

SIGNS YOUR DOG IS CHOKING

• Frantic pawing at mouth.
• Gagging and coughing.
• Tongue and gums may turn a bluish color since the airway is blocked.
• The dog may become unconscious and even die due to a lack of oxygen.