How you can help your pet if he chokes

Pets are part of the family, but few would know what to do to help them in an emergency. An allergy episode, for example, can swell our pet’s throat to the point of suffocation. Or a simple bottle cap is capable of blocking your breath. They are our loyal companions, so they deserve our best care should an unfortunate emergency occur. Let’s get ready to help them.

O awesome.club wants to guide you on how to take care of your little animal, showing what you should do if it is suffocating.

If your dog or cat is choking, it will show some of these symptoms that will allow you to be aware of what is happening:

Panic

Discomfort in the muzzle (the animal rubs it on the ground)

saliva production

retching

Cough

Difficulties to breathe

Snout or tongue bluish

On many occasions, you must act quickly and not wait for the veterinarian, as this could cost your pet’s life.

Make sure your pet is under control. Animals that go through an episode of asphyxiation tend to despair. Ask a family member, friend or neighbor for help to provide adequate assistance to the pet.

Pull your tongue to the side and open your mouth as wide as possible. If the tongue returns to the middle of the mouth, pull it out again, as by doing so, you can release the trapped object. Sweep your fingers across your tongue from the corner of your mouth towards the center, taking care not to push the object further into your throat. If you feel or see it, you can gently pry it off with your fingers or using needle nose pliers.

If you can’t locate the object, get ready to perform the Heimlich maneuver on your pet. Their anatomy, of course, is different from that of human beings, but the principle of technique is the same. It is carried out as follows, according to the size of the animal.

If your dog is small or (or if the problem is with a cat), pick him up, placing his back against your chest, letting his paws hang naturally. Locate the soft depression under your ribs, just below your ribcage. Make a fist and place the knuckle of the thumb in this space. Push it up and into the pet’s stomach about three times. In this way, the animal can expel the object.

If your pet is too heavy, lay him on his side and kneel behind him. Make a fist and lodge the knuckle of the thumb in the chest cavity, pushing hard inward and toward the head. It may be that, in this way, the animal manages to expel the object.

If your pet faints or stops breathing, it’s best to start CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation). You must do it this way, according to the size of the animal:

If your pet is a cat or a small dog, place it on its side on a flat surface, stretch its neck and close its mouth. Inhale deeply and expel the air from your mouth to the animal’s nose, taking care that the air does not escape, closing with your two hands. Repeat three times, then do 100 to 120 compressions, squeezing your thumb and forefinger into your chest, just below your elbow, in line with your upper leg. Every 30 compressions, insert air into his nose.

If your dog is very heavy, perform the procedure on the animal’s abdomen, placing one palm of your hand on its body and the other hand on top of the first one – similar to how it is done on humans. Keep your arms straight and press hard.

If his chest swells, it’s a sign that he’s doing it right. Repeat until you can detect a pulse. You can place your fingers between your thigh and torso to see if you feel any circulation.

The best remedy for these cases is prevention. Paying attention to some details of your pet’s daily life can prevent episodes like this from happening. Our tips are:

Make sure your food doesn’t have chunks that are too big for your mouth.

Always check for toys or bones that won’t fit in your mouth or have parts that could come off and pose a choking hazard.

Protect the garbage cover.

Keep out of your reach items that could fit in your mouth, including containers that may contain these elements.

Monitor play times in public places, such as squares and parks. You may find small objects, such as bottle caps, that could endanger you.

Has your pet ever scared you? What is your greatest gratitude for having your pet?