| Dogs very rarely think about what they | | | | to remove the object blocking your dog's |
| consume, unless it's a hidden pill wrapped in | | | | breathing. Start by forcing your dog's mouth |
| a piece of bread or cheese (my dog carefully | | | | open and trying to pull the object out of the |
| eats the tasty wrapper and spits out the | | | | mouth or throat immediately. Ideally, you |
| pill). Most of the time, a dog will simply | | | | should be able to see the object obstructing |
| swallow its food whole, and dogs can choke | | | | your dog's breathing, but if you can't see |
| just like humans. Saving a dog with a | | | | it, try raising your dog's butt and back legs |
| blocked airway uses the same treatment as a | | | | off the ground slightly before using a |
| human as well. If you know CPR, you can help | | | | modified Heimlich maneuver. |
| your choking dog. | | | | |
| | | | The canine Heimlich maneuver begins with you |
| Dogs are like children: You have to keep an | | | | pressing your flattened hand against the |
| eye on them all the time. Before you start | | | | bottom of the dog's rib cage. Push into the |
| giving your dog CPR, you should try to | | | | dog's chest, pressing the dog's lungs against |
| determine what your pet is choking on to | | | | its spine and back, and with any luck, this |
| begin with. Most likely, the culprit will be | | | | should cause the dog to cough up whatever was |
| a bone or a small toy. Balls, if they're | | | | blocking its breathing. If the dog falls |
| small enough, are another possibility. A | | | | unconscious, try to perform the chest |
| dog's mouth is the equivalent of our fingers. | | | | pressing maneuver twice again before giving |
| Young dogs and pups will pick things up and | | | | two artificial respirations (breathing into |
| taste them just to see what they are. | | | | the dog's mouth; most first aid texts cover |
| | | | this in more detail), and then checking the |
| As with toddlers, always be certain that dog | | | | dog's mouth again. Repeat the process of two |
| toys are large enough that they won't | | | | compressions and two artificial respirations |
| accidentally be swallowed. When a dog gets | | | | until normal breathing returns. |
| something stuck in their throat, it will paw | | | | |
| at their muzzle and try to retch up the | | | | Practice makes perfect. Just as you would |
| blockage. A dog won't be very cooperative | | | | practice a home fire drill with your |
| with any human that's trying to remove an | | | | children, it is good to have a few practice |
| object from its throat or mouth either, but a | | | | sessions with your dog for various first aid |
| blocked throat is a medical emergency. If the | | | | techniques. This way, should the time come |
| dog stops breathing, it will pass out and | | | | that your dog needs help, the process will be |
| could die. | | | | more familiar to your pet and he'll be less |
| | | | likely to struggle. Finally, don't be afraid |
| If your dog remains conscious, you should try | | | | to ask for professional advise or help. |