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How to Stop a Dog from Choking

Choking is a serious risk for dogs of all sizes. If your pup is choking, it is important to act quickly and calmly in order to save its life. This article is a comprehensive guide to help pet owners understand the signs of choking, how to stop a dog from choking, and what to do if your dog stops breathing.

Signs of Choking in Dogs

The first step to properly helping a choking dog is recognizing the signs. If your dog is choking, it will likely be exhibiting some of the following signs:

  • Gagging or coughing
  • Trouble breathing
  • Excessive drooling
  • Panicked behavior
  • A bluish tinge around the eyes and mouth

If your pup exhibits any of these signs, it is important to act quickly and calmly. If you can see what your pup is choking on, remove it if possible. If the object is stuck, however, do not attempt to remove it yourself.

How to Stop a Dog from Choking

Once you have identified the signs of choking, it is important to know how to perform the Heimlich maneuver on your pup. The Heimlich maneuver is the same for both humans and dogs. If possible, move your dog to the ground. If your pup is too large to move, stand behind it and wrap your arms around its torso.

Once you have a secure grip, use your fist to apply pressure to the abdomen just below the rib cage. Make sure to apply pressure in quick, upward thrusts. You should do this five to six times. If the object is still stuck, take your pup to the vet immediately.

If your pup is too small to perform the Heimlich maneuver, you can try to use a finger sweep. If you can see the object, use a finger to sweep the object out of your pup’s mouth. Be careful not to push the object further down the throat. If this does not work, call your vet immediately.

What to Do if Your Dog Stops Breathing

If your pup stops breathing and does not have a pulse, it is important to begin CPR immediately. Place your pup on a flat surface and check for a pulse. If there is no pulse, begin chest compressions.

Place both hands on the chest, one over the other, and press firmly. Compress the chest about one-third of the way down. Do this at a rate of 100-120 compressions per minute. After 30 compressions, open your pup’s mouth and give two rescue breaths. Make sure to keep your pup’s head tilted slightly back. After two rescue breaths, begin chest compressions again.

Continue this cycle until your pup is breathing on its own or until help arrives. If you are unable to perform CPR on your pup, take it to the vet immediately.

Preventing Choking in Dogs

The best way to help your pup is to prevent choking in the first place. The most common objects that lead to choking in dogs are small toys, rawhides, and bones. It is important to supervise your pup while it plays with toys, and to make sure that toys are the appropriate size for your pup.

Rawhides and bones can also be choking hazards. It is best to avoid giving your pup bones and to opt for safer chew toys instead. If you do give your pup a bone, make sure that it is the appropriate size for your pup. Additionally, it is important to check your pup’s toys and bones regularly for signs of wear and tear.

It is also important to keep small objects off the ground. This includes coins, jewelry, and other small items. If your pup swallows a small object, it can lead to choking or blockage. Finally, it is important to keep your pup away from dangerous foods such as grapes, raisins, and chocolate.

Conclusion

Choking is a serious risk for dogs of all sizes. If your pup is choking, it is important to act quickly and calmly in order to save its life. The first step to properly helping a choking dog is recognizing the signs. If your dog is choking, it will likely be exhibiting some of the following signs: gagging or coughing, trouble breathing, excessive drooling, panicked behavior, and a bluish tinge around the eyes and mouth. If your pup exhibits any of these signs, it is important to act quickly and calmly.

If possible, remove the object if you can see it. If the object is stuck, do not attempt to remove it yourself. If you can, move your pup to the ground and perform the Heimlich maneuver. If your pup is too small, use a finger sweep to remove the object from its mouth. If your pup stops breathing and does not have a pulse, begin CPR immediately.

The best way to help your pup is to prevent choking in the first place. Supervise your pup while it plays with toys and opt for safer chew toys instead of rawhides and bones. Additionally, it is important to keep small objects off the ground and to keep your pup away from dangerous foods. If your pup is choking, it is important to act quickly and calmly. With the right knowledge and quick action, you can help save your pup’s life.


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