Chocking in animals can be scary; Learn the techniques of the Heimlich maneuver in Animals
Animal, particular dogs can chock on their food or even a small toy. The sings of an animal chocking in clued anxiousness or the animal starts to act frantic and scared. There may be load breathing sound as well they might struggle and gasp for air to breath. They may paw at their mouth; their gums may turn blue or white and they may stop breathing.
The best skill to learn for helping an animal that is chocking is the Heimlich maneuver. For animal, by following the steps below your goal is to dislodge the foreign object in their throat.
It can be a challenge to care for an animal that is chocking. They maybe frantic, you might not be able to hold them still or attempted a finger sweep to help dislodge the object. If this occurs, be prepared to deal with an unconscious animal. You best bet is to act very quickly if you see your animal is chocking. You need to take control of the situation if at all possible.
If the animal becomes unconscious genially lay them on their side. For animals that have not been breathing or their heart has not been working over 20 minutes there is little chance that they will recover.
Treatment
- Open the mouth and pull the tongue forward.
- With your finger sweep the inside of their mouth to feel and dislodge the object. Be gentle and careful. Do not push the object back down the throat.
- Conduct 5 abdominal thrust. With the dog’s spine against your chest, wrap your arms around the animal and place your fist just below and under the ribs. Make a fist and place the other hand over it. Give 5 rapid abdominal thrust. Lift your fist in an inward and upward motion to help push air out of the lungs.
- Check the animals’ mouth to see if you dislodged the object.
- If not and the airway is still blocked, hold the animal by their hind legs and pull them up into the air with their head hanging down (like a wheelbarrow).
- Check the animals’ mouth.
- If the object is still lodge, give 5 sharp back blows with the palm of your hand between the shoulder blades.
- Genially and carefully sweep the animals mouth with your finger to hopefully dislodge the object.
- If this has failed, repeat step 3 through 8 or until the animal becomes unconscious.
- If the animal has become unconscious, give 5 rescue breaths followed by 5 quick abdominal thrust.
- Check the mouth again.
- Once the object has become dislodge, stop the abdominal thrust and check the animals airway, breathing and circulatory system.
- If needed begin CPR.
