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What to Do When Your Dog or Cat is Choking

By
Real Estate Agent with Sailwinds Realty
Recently a friend told me of something sad that happened to her friend.  Her dog started choking on something, and she didn’t know what to do or how to help. The dog died in her arms in front of the kids.

I was curious about whether you could use the Heimlich Maneuver on pets and found that you can.  I found lots of information and videos on how to use it on animals. There are several things to be cautious about however.
Lady Weidman-www.tweidman.com
 
Prior to administering the Heimlich, make sure you’re dog is actually choking and not just having difficulty breathing; remove collars, harnesses or any object around the pet’s neck. Do not place your hand down your pet's throat and pull any object you feel. Dogs have small bones that support the base of their tongues. Do not attempt to remove an object unless you know what it is. If the object is still there:

Lady Weidman
 
 
1. Grasp your dog around the waist and place your fists beneath his last ribs.

2. With your hands in position, deliver three firm abdominal compressions and release them quickly.

3. Check your dog's mouth again for any foreign body that may have been dislodged. If found, remove it. If your dog is still choking, you may repeat this process up to three times.

If you're unable to remove the obstruction with the above maneuver, seek medical attention immediately at your nearest veterinary emergency room.

If you're able to successfully remove the obstruction, re-assess  your dog's breathing. If your dog is not moving air, perform mouth to mouth resuscitation on your dog.

Make sure you see the veterinarian as quickly as possible to assess any damage to the throat or esophagus

Be cautious with the Heimlich Maneuver; there is the potential for broken ribs when performing it.
Video of the Canine Heimlich Maneuver Shayna Weidman - New Port Richey-FL www.tweidman.com
Video for Cat Heimlich Maneuver
 
 
 
Shayna Weidman
 
 
 
 
 
 
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Craig and I have been selling in this area for 20+ years.
Call Me or email my assistant, Shayna.
 
 
Toni Weidman-New Port Richey FL Shayna Weidman
Toni Weidman
 Broker-associate
Florida Luxury Realty
Trinity, FL 34655
727-237-0083
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Comments(22)

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Andres Munar
Keystone Alliance Mortgage - State College, PA
Experience The Difference

Wow I'm sorry to hear that. I would be devastated if my dog died in my arms. Thanks for the info. I always under the impression that dogs and cats weren't able to chock as they could regurgitate it.

Feb 21, 2011 01:26 AM
Margo Currie
Exit 1 Stop Realty - Saint Augustine Beach, FL

Thank you for what could be a lifesaving tip. I have seen my dog choking, but fortunately, she cleared the object (black garbage bag strips... guess how she got that!) by herself.

Feb 21, 2011 01:26 AM
Margaret Goss
@Properties - Winnetka, IL
Chicago's North Shore & Winnetka Real Estate

Isn't that what happened to Oprah's dog?  It's good to know that the Heimlich, with care, will work for dogs.

Feb 21, 2011 01:33 AM
Andrew Mooers | 207.532.6573
MOOERS REALTY - Houlton, ME
Northern Maine Real Estate-Aroostook County Broker

Good advice for Fido, Spot, Puff owners to keep them alive, from choking to death.

maine cat in the sun tongue out

Feb 21, 2011 01:36 AM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Me too, Dan. Thanks

 

Feb 21, 2011 01:53 AM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Andres - actually I hadn't thought about it until my friend mentioned it but it is something that can happen.

Feb 21, 2011 01:54 AM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Margo - I'm very glad to hear she was able to clear it herself without any problems. Thank you.

Feb 21, 2011 01:55 AM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Margaret - I'm not an Oprah watcher so I can't say; but no-one should have to go through that. Thanks for stopping by.

Feb 21, 2011 01:56 AM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Andrew - thank you. Is that your kitty? Cute picture.

Feb 21, 2011 01:56 AM
Ron and Alexandra Seigel
Napa Consultants - Carpinteria, CA
Luxury Real Estate Branding, Marketing & Strategy

Toni,

Thanks for sharing this.  Hopefully none us will need it.  Have a wonderful Monday.  A

Feb 21, 2011 04:34 AM
Arleen Montford
KELLER WILLIAMS REALTY GULF COAST - Pace, FL
Selling NW Florida Homes in Pace/Milton/Pensacola FL

Wow I would have never thought that you could do Heimlich Maneuver on a pet. Good to know.

Feb 21, 2011 05:01 AM
Sharon Lee
Sharon Lee's Virtual Assistance - Jonesborough, TN
Retired and loving life

WOW!!! I had no idea that you could do that on a pet. I have a dog and a cat. I would be devastated if they died in my arms. My kitty is 17 and Mom's dog is 3. Thank you for spreading the info. I hope I never need it though. Have a great week.

Feb 21, 2011 07:58 AM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Alexandra - You're welcome. Better to know what you can do if the need ever arises.

Arleen - funny it has never come up before, but it's good to know.

Sharon - I didn't know that either. We have 2 cats but are right now between dogs. I hate it when I have to have a animal put down so I can't imagine if it died in my arms.

Feb 21, 2011 09:26 AM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

me too,Corinne, me too!

Feb 21, 2011 10:05 AM
Tammy Lankford,
Lane Realty Eatonton, GA Lake Sinclair, Milledgeville, 706-485-9668 - Eatonton, GA
Broker GA Lake Sinclair/Eatonton/Milledgeville

Good info to know.  We have a habit of taking in strays.  Currently we have 3 cats and 2 dogs (all rescue) so I'm going to ask my vet to show me just exactly where and about how hard next shot go round at her office. 

Feb 21, 2011 03:04 PM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Tammy - I'm on the board of the SPCA so I love people like you. I was wondering about that too so I will ask my vet also. Thank you.

Feb 21, 2011 11:56 PM
Robin Dampier REALTOR®
Coldwell Banker King - Hendersonville, NC
Hendersonville & Western NC Real Estate Source

Thanks Toni for this great advice and videos.  I'm also going to ask the vet.  Numerous times I've had to open their mouths and get things out!

Just last month Willie was chewing on a knotted bandanna type thing and as I was looking at him it disappeared!  It happened in an instant and I couldn't believe my eyes.  This wasn't a tiny thing.  He didn't gag, cough or anything unusual and ate and went about his business as normal.  I kept watching for any evidence of it leaving his body!  On the third day after he ate he like burped and there it was on the floor.  Amazing.  Both my "Kids" loved chewing on these things but they are now banned and all removed from the house including the knotted rope toys with the loose strands of material on their ends as they chewed and swallowed those as well.

Sue of Robin and Sue

Feb 22, 2011 02:09 AM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

Oh my gosh, Sue. You better check with the vet for sure! Thank you for stopping in.

Feb 22, 2011 02:18 AM
Sidney Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula Kutchuk - Realty Works Temecula
Realty Works Temecula - Temecula, CA
Realty Works Temecula

Toni:  Great information but it would be hard to do mouth to mouth on a dog.   Glad my German Shepherd is a finicky eater after all. 

Feb 22, 2011 03:48 PM
Toni Weidman
Sailwinds Realty - Trinity, FL
20+ Years Selling Homes in New Port Richey, FL

I know exactly what you mean, Jane :)

Feb 22, 2011 11:50 PM
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