A maneuver every dogmom and dad should know...
Because choking cuts off oxygen to the brain, you only have a few minutes to save a life. If your pet is choking, most likely, there won't be time to drive to the vet.
Awareness and vigilance are critical. Here are some signs of choking
* pawing at mouth
* couching and gagging
* holding mouth open in a abnormal way
* noisy and labored breathing
* blue or white gums
* fainting
* unconscious pet
Heimlich Maneuver for a choking animal
* swipe finger(s) through back of the mouth to dislodge or remove the object
* pull tongue forward and use your fingers, tweezers, spoon handle, needle-nose pliers to remove an object stuck in mouth
* BE CAREFUL not to push object further down in throat
* Having the assistance of two or more people is very helpful in a choking emergency
* be cautious. stressed animals can bite
- gentle restrain stressed pets by wrapping them in a towel
- move larger dogs into a corner - backend against the wall - and gently hold dog between the knees
Heimlich maneuver for Medium and Large dogs
* stand behind animal, wrap arms around belly. Make a fist with hands
* place fist on the soft spot JUST BELOW the ribcage
* Thrust-pump UP and FORWARD simultaneously, in a quick rapid manner
-> do 5 thrusts in quick succession. Check for dislodged object and remove it
Heimlich maneuver for small dogs/cats
* Hug pet's back (head up) against your body
* Put fist on the soft spot JUST BELOW the ribcage (use a one-handed fist for tiny animals)
* Thrustpump inward (towards tummy) and upwards (towards head) simultaneously in a quick rapid manner
-> do 5 thrusts in quick succession. Check for dislodged object and remove it
If animal is lying down or unconscious
* Lay dog on her side. Kneel BEHIND her (knees against dog's backbone) Dog's head/neck forward
* press a fist on soft spot (JUST BELOW ribcage)
* simultaneously thrust-pump towards pet's head and inwards (towards you)
-> do 5 thrusts in quick succession. Check for dislodged object and remove it
If Heimlich maneuver is not working
* Try a series of quick thrusts with the palm of your hand between the animal's shoulder blades. Do this 3 or 4 times
Be sure to keep your dogs head forward so that the object can come out
If this not work, try the Heimlich Maneuvre again, ideally when someone drives you to the emergency vet
RESCUE BREATHING
If you are successful dislodging and removing the object, and the pet is NOT BREATHING, you need to perform rescue breathing
* LARGE DOGS
hold mouth/muzzle closed. Place your mouth over the dog's nose and blow 2 quick puffs into nose untill the chest rises
-> place one hand on chest to check breathing
continue giving 15-20 breaths per minute until pet breathes on her own
* SMALL DOGS/CATS
with your mouth, cover and seal the entire snout (mouth and nose) and blow 2 quick puffs into nose untill the chest rises
-> place one hand on chest to check breathing
continue giving 15-20 breaths per minute until pet breathes on her own
--> if breathing is shallow and irregular, continue giving rescue breaths for 20 minutes (while driving to the vet)
If your pet doesn't start breathing, their still could be a blockage in the airway. Perform Heimlich again, and GET TO THE VET!!
Thanks @redandhowling for the information. Full video on youtube
signed,
a senior dog mom-O-Holic