Choking Pets: What to Do…

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Choking Pets: What to Do…

  • A choking animal will battle to breath and even pass out, you might even see the cause like a ball being swallowed
  • Check that their airway is clear:
    • Pull their tongue forward out of their mouth and look for any obstruction such as a foreign object or vomit
    • Clear it away or hold their head downward to help any fluid / object that may be present to drain out or drop out (short and sharp but firm diaphragm pressure may assist)
  • If they are not breathing after you have cleared their airway:
    • Attempt to perform “mouth to nose” resuscitation by closing their mouth and breathing into their nostrils with just enough air to make their chest rise
    • Allow the air to be released and repeat every 10 seconds in larger dogs, and every 5 seconds in cats and small dogs
    • An animal which is battling to breathe, despite a clear airway Is best positioned lying on their chest to allow their lungs to expand as easily as possible
    • Seek veterinary care as soon as possible