Step 3: If You Can’t Dislodge The Item, Perform a Heimlich Maneuver
On puppies and small dogs, this means picking them up their head up and paws down, holding its back against your stomach. Then find the soft hollow under the rib cage and push up with your first.
For larger dogs, you would lay them on their side, and kneel behind their back. Place your closed fist under the hollow under the rib cage and push upward and inward sharply in the direction of the dog’s head. This should force air out of the lungs to help expel the invader. Remove the object once dislodged.
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Note: Only attempt the Heimlich maneuver if you do not have enough time to make it to the vet. Ideally, have a vet on the phone to help walk you through.
Take any dog that has experienced a Heimlich maneuver or any form of choking to the vet for assessment, especially for chest and throat injuries.
What most people don’t know is that the Heimlich isn’t reserved for people. You can also perform it on dogs in extreme emergency situations.
If an object is in your dog’s windpipe, they might make choking sounds or paw at their muzzle and drool. They might rub their face on the floor, cough, and gag.
How can you tell if a dog is choking? Sometimes it’s more obvious than others. If your dog’s collar has gotten caught in the Venetian blinds, for example, release them immediately or cut away the object binding them. If the dog is awake and aware but still in distress, head to the vet at once. The windpipe could have gotten damaged, the dog could have bitten their tongue or have abrasions, or have some other injuries from trying to free itself. If your dog is unconscious, call the vet and begin CPR.
Dealing with the Aftermath
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1 Check to see that your dog is breathing normally once youve removed the object. If not
What to Do if Your Dog Is Choking
Dogs are chewers. And dogs are coughers. And much like cats, sometimes its difficult to know if they just need to clear their throat or if something has gotten stuck. When should coughing cause concern and alert you to the fact that your dog may be choking? And when do you intervene to help your pooch? It can be a very scary feeling watching your dog choke and not know what to do to help.
“Fortunately, it is relatively uncommon for a dog to be choking,” said Tristan Daugherty-Leiter, DVM, a veterinarian specializing in emergency medicine and surgery at VCA Veterinary Emergency Service & Veterinary Specialty Center located in Middleton, Wis. “For many of the dogs who present for possible airway or esophageal obstruction, most end up being diagnosed with another problem such as kennel cough.”
While thats reassuring news for dog owners everywhere, its still important to know what to look for and how to assist your dog should choking occur.
According to Daugherty-Leiter, dogs most often choke on rawhides, balls, and chew toys, especially if dogs are able to bite off small pieces of these toys. So if your dog has been engaging in these activities and begins coughing—unlike in humans, its the most telling sign of choking for dogs—intervene right away.
Beyond coughing and choking sounds, there may be other signs of distress in your dog that you can watch for, including excessive drooling, pacing, pawing at their mouth or rubbing their face or snout along the ground. They may gag or retch. Or you might hear high-pitched squeaking or whistling. If their airway is blocked you may see them have difficulty breathing or in severe cases your dog could even collapse.