How to help a choking small dog

Most dogs will chew nearly anything: bones, toys, shoes, socks, etc. But would you know what to do if something became lodged in the windpipe or stuck on the palate and your dog began to choke? It's important that you do not wait for veterinary assistance, as the dog may suffocate.

Table of Contents Show

Signs That a Dog Is Choking
Primary Cause
Immediate Care
Dog Heimlich Maneuver for a SMALL Dog
Dog Heimlich Maneuver for a LARGE Dog
Veterinary Care

Signs That a Dog Is Choking

If a dog is suffocating, he will often panic. A dog may paw at his mouth if something is lodged, though this does not necessarily mean he is choking. Another suspicious sign of choking is an unresponsive or unconscious dog; in these cases, check the throat and mouth for foreign objects. Coughing can be a sign of choking but is more likely to indicate tracheal irritation such as from kennel cough.

Primary Cause

Almost any small object can cause choking, though the most common are hard rubber balls and chew toys or sticks that have become swollen due to moisture.

Immediate Care

Be very careful when dealing with a dog that’s choking, as even calm animals will panic when they cannot breathe. Protect yourself by restraining the dog, but do not muzzle it.

Use both hands to open the dog’s mouth, with one hand on the upper jaw and the other on the lower.
Grasping the jaws, press the lips over the dog’s teeth so that they are between the teeth and your fingers. Any dog can bite, so use every precaution.
Look inside the mouth and remove the obstruction with your fingers. Sweep your finger across the back of the mouth to feel for any obstruction. *If there are bones lodged deep in the dog’s throat, do not try to pull these out. You will need to take your dog to the vet immediately to have him sedated and the object removed safely.
If you can’t move the object with your fingers but can see it, call your veterinarian or the emergency clinic right away.

If the dog is still choking and you can’t see anything in the mouth, or the dog has fallen unconscious, follow these guidelines.

Dog Heimlich Maneuver for a SMALL Dog

Carefully lay your dog on his back and apply pressure to the abdomen just below the rib cage.

Dog Heimlich Maneuver for a LARGE Dog

Do not try to pick up a large dog; you're more likely to do further damage due to the animal's size. Instead, perform the Heimlich maneuver for dogs:

If the dog is standing, put your arms around her belly, joining your hands. Make a fist and push firmly up and forward, just behind the rib cage. Place the dog on his side afterward.
If the dog is lying down on his side, place one hand on the back for support and use the other hand to squeeze the abdomen upwards and forwards towards the spine.
Check the dog's mouth and remove any objects that may have been dislodged using the precautions described above.

Note that the object might be quite a way back towards the throat, so you might have to hunt around and hook it out with your index finger. If the dog required artificial respiration or CPR, seek immediate veterinary attention.

Veterinary Care

It is likely that objects stuck in the throat have caused damage. Depending on the length of time the dog was without oxygen and the damage to the throat, the dog may require hospitalization after the emergency is addressed.

In some cases, bronchoscopy (whereby a small camera is inserted into the windpipe to visualize and remove the foreign body) may be recommended to assess the damage. X-rays may be recommended to make sure the object is completely removed.

Sometimes foreign bodies, such as bones, that are stuck in the esophagus can cause respiratory distress and mimic choking.

Prevention

The best way to prevent choking is to treat your dog as you would a small child. Although it’s almost impossible to stop them from putting things in their mouth, you should always be present and keep an eye on what they’re chewing. Avoid moisture-swollen chew toys or sticks, and cut up large chunks of food. Do not give your dog T-bones, which are also known to cause choking when given to dogs.

Never give your dog a bone that completely fits inside of his mouth. Cooked bones are very dangerous because they may bend, be swallowed, and then take a shape that causes obstruction or damage. Take away all bones and chew toys (including rawhides) once they can fit within your dog’s mouth. Many dogs will try to swallow an object if it fits inside their mouth.

Learn how to perform: Artificial Respiration for Dogs

It is an unfortunate fact that dogs frequently choke. Their inquisitive nature encourages them to chew on anything and everything they can–from sticks and rocks to socks and toys. Often in their zeal at playtime or their hurry to devour a food they love; they can choke and panic very quickly.

Choking happens when something obstructs your dog’s airway. A partial blockage may leave your puppy retching, pacing and pawing at their mouth. If the airway is totally blocked, they will not be able to make any sound at all and will quickly become unconscious.

Whether you can reach in and free the obstruction yourself or you rush your dog to a veterinarian right away, choking should always be taken seriously. In this blog post, the vets at Jacksonville Community Pet Clinic offer some advice for safely rendering first aid to a choking dog.

But never muzzle your dog. A dog that’s struggling to breath is already in panic mode. It’s often best to put your dog on its side. It’s also best to have someone help you hold your dog down so they can remain as calm as possible.

Often you can see the object at the back of the throat. You can reach in with your hand or use a long tweezer, tongs, or even needle-nose pliers to grasp and dislodge the item. Just be VERY careful not to push it further down the throat.

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.

By performing rescue breaths and chest compressions, you can help restore your dogs breathing. It may be necessary to continue performing CPR on the way to the vet as well. Should this not work, quickly take your dog to the nearest veterinarian. Be sure to call first to let them know you are coming so they can be prepared to help upon arrival.

He or she may have damage to the mouth and throat, or there might be other items that made their way into the digestive tract. At Jacksonville Community Pet Clinics, we typically treat choking after-care with medications to help prevent infection, manage swelling, and reduce pain.

Sometimes, choking isn’t a result of a foreign object at all and could be due to an allergy or toxic substance such as a plant, essential oil, or other. If a dog goes into anaphylactic shock, it can cause the same symptoms as choking as the airway is compromised.

We can help you determine if your dog has chewed on a toxic plant or perhaps has absorbed chemicals like fertilizer or pesticides. By assessing fecal samples, blood tests, and physical veterinarian exams, our vets can help you determine the cause of the discomfort and provide the right treatment.

At the Jacksonville Community Pet Clinic, our goal is to help your dog stay healthy for many wonderful years of love and companionship. We can help guide you in the basics of first aid for your dog so you can better help your fur baby in times of distress.