Choking In Dogs: Would You Know What To Do?

Although your dog's set of teeth contains molars, incisors, and canines, their teeth are all rather sharp, with a pointed tip. This allows your dog to grasp food and swallow it without much chewing. This is a natural style of eating for your dog, but it can lead to some problems—namely choking. Would you know what to do if your dog was to start choking?

Remove the Blockage

First of all, you should attempt to remove the blockage yourself. This is only possible when it's lodged at the opening to their throat, and hasn't moved further into their airway. You will need assistance. Someone will have to gently restrain your dog, taking care not to compress their chest and impede their breathing. Open your dog's muzzle, taking extreme care not to be bitten. If you can spot the blockage, gently remove it. Even if you can only move it from the entry to their throat to their mouth, your dog might then be able to spit it out. Be very careful not to push the blockage deeper into their throat. Sweep your fingers from side-to-side to loosen the blockage, as this method makes it less likely that you will push the blockage further into their throat.

Perform the Heimlich Maneuver

If you are unable to remove the blockage, attempt the Heimlich maneuver for dogs. This is something that all dog owners should familiarize themselves with because you never know when you might need it. The process is different, depending on the size of your dog. Small and medium-sized dogs should have their hind legs lifted off the ground, which can assist them in dislodging the blockage. This can be followed with a sharp, targeted blow between their shoulder blades, as well as using your hands pressed together beneath your dog's abdomen, followed by sharp thrusts. It can be difficult to safely lift a larger dog's hind legs off the ground, so you should focus on the shoulder blades and abdomen of a larger dog.

Seek Medical Attention

When you're unsuccessful in removing the blockage or performing the Heimlich maneuver, you must transport your dog to a pet hospital immediately. The blockage might need to be manually removed, and for this to be successful, your dog will need to be sedated. Even if you were able to remove the blockage, your dog might still require veterinary attention, especially if they lost consciousness or appeared to stop breathing. If there's any doubt about whether your dog needs medical assessment, contact your vet for clarification. 

Choking in dogs can be extremely dangerous, just as it can be in humans and any animal, so it's important to know how to deal with the situation. Contact a pet hospital for more information.