Choking in dogs

Overview

It is not unusual for a dog to choke because they try to swallow the wrong thing. Consider your home and the types of things laying around that your dog can easily get into.  Do you keep household items such as rubber bands, yarn, string, and dental floss within easy access of your dog?  Is your trashcan easy  for them to get into?  Do you have children who leave their small toys on the floor?  While commonly found in our homes, all of these items could become lodged in your dog's throat causing choking, strangulation, or even intestinal problems.

Symptoms

Signs of choking include:

• Gagging
• Pawing at the mouth
• Distress
• Rapid or shallow breathing
• Pale or blue tongue
• Unconsciousness
• Increased respiratory rate and effort

Treatment

If your dog is choking and you can see the object stuck in his throat, you may attempt to remove it using a spoon or a pair of tongs, but never place your fingers inside the mouth of a choking dog. The sweetest dog in the world will bite you when he is in distress! 

If your dog is unconscious and you believe an object is keeping him from breathing, you must remove the object to open the airway before giving the dog CPR. If the dog cannot breathe, efforts to revive it will be fruitless. The Heimlich maneuver for dogs is similar to its use in people, but the size of your dog will determine the positioning of your hands.

For a small dog, place one hand on his back to steady him and close your other hand to form a fist and place it under the center of your dog's rib cage. Press in and up with your fist, four or five times, in a thrusting motion. If that does not work, hold him upside down and place your arms around his lower abdomen for 30 seconds while gently swaying him from side to side.

For a large dog, stand or kneel behind the dog. Grasp his body at the bottom of his rib cage. Make a fist with one hand and cover the fist with your other hand. Quickly and firmly thrust both hands inwards and upwards at the bottom of its rib cage, four or five times. Repeat as often as is necessary to dislodge whatever is blocking your dog's airways.

Prevention

Play it safe by creating an environment your dog can enjoy while protecting him from potential dangers. Food, toys, balls, and other foreign objects are frequently the cause of choking.

Pet toys and balls keep your dog happy and occupied, but may also pose a danger. Carefully select toys and balls for your dog, generally choosing toys no smaller than a ping-pong ball to avoid a choking hazard. If the toys contain small parts (such as squeakers or plastic eyes) that could be removed, there is the chance those parts could cause your dog to choke.

Trash cans are a common source for choking hazards. Discarded bones, food wrappers, leftover food, even household objects placed in your trash may be enticing to a curious or hungry dog. Whenever possible, it is wise to put bones and leftover food in sealed containers before placing the items in the trash. Food wrappers, especially cellophane, should be disposed of in a container not accessible to your dog. The best measure you can take to protect your dog from trash hazards is to place your trash in a closed trash can preferably with a lid that locks tightly in place.

To learn how to perform the Heimlich maneuver and CPR on your dog, contact your local Red Cross Chapter or Humane Society. Both organizations often offer Pet First Aid courses to teach you emergency care procedures.

References:

What to do if your dog is choking. (7 March 2008).

SPCA of Texas. Heimlich Maneuver for Dogs. (7 March 2008).