Being able to provide first aid can help save the lives of people but also the lives of our pets. There are times when the items we have within our homes can pose dangerous to choking. Small objects such as toys for children or even a portion of food your dog eats can be stuck in their throats and cause choking. It’s important to know what to do in such situations instead of waiting for a veterinarian to help.
We want to be ready to help our dogs live a whole and happy life in the event of it. This is how you can assist your dog’s best friend.
The reason your dog might be having a choking issue
- The foreign item that is stuck in their throats: The most frequent objects that be stuck in their throats are toys and balls, together with sticks, bones, rawhide, as well as everything else small enough to fit inside their mouths but large enough to swallow, such as parts from more essential items.
- A collar that is tangled: The collar buckle could get caught in fences, bushes, and even inside another dog’s collar. It will then become tangled around the neck of the dog and tighten up, which could result in a choke. It can also happen when dogs pull off the leash with too much force.
- A collapsing trachea, Unfortunately, there is no cure for this disease. It is, however, possible to lessen the adverse effects of this condition when you ensure that your dog is well-hydrated and cool because excess body mass and heat could cause the condition to worsen.
- A disease that is infectious: Kennel cough is a condition that can make it appear as if the dog is chewing on something. Fortunately, it is quickly treated using cough medication and antibiotics. Another disease known as puppy strangles the lymph nodes and the throat of the dog can become enlarged, causing chokes.
Watch out for these symptoms of chokes.
- Coughing
- Drooling
- Gagging
- It isn’t easy to swallow.
- Trouble breathing
- Mouth or head
- Gums that are pale or blue and tongue color
- Regurgitation
- Disorientation, fear, and anxiety
- Unconsciousness
What can you do if an object becomes stuck in the dog’s throat?
Open the mouth of your dog and move their tongue and then straighten their neck. Examine whether you can see what’s inside the throat. Be careful when applying your fingertips to touch the object within. Dogs have tiny bones which support the tongue’s base. Sometimes, dog owners confuse it with an animal bone and decide to get rid of it.
Be mindful of your fingers since the dog could be scared and bite you. It is possible to put an item of cloth between your fingers as well as their mouths to prevent the risk of getting bitten. If you spot the object, you can gently sweep it away from the middle and get rid of it. Please do not force it further into the throat. If you aren’t able to perform the task with your fingers, Try with pliers and tweezers. However, be cautious not to scratch Adam’s apple in the dog’s mouth.
Try using pressure on the lower part of your dog’s jaw. Push forward as if you are trying for something to be squeezed out.
If you aren’t able to take the object away with your fingers, then try to make the Heimlich move. If you own a tiny dog, take them out of the way and put them with their backs to your stomach. Use your fist between their ribs and then push it towards the stomach and then upwards, repeating it numerous times.
If you own a giant pet, stand behind them while they’re standing. Please put your hands around their body, behind the ribcage, and then press them the hard way, five times upwards and forward, in the direction of the head of the dog. If this doesn’t work, take your back leg off of the floor and press them with your hands again, or give five hard blows with your hands placed between and between the shoulder blades of your pet.
You can avoid this unfortunate scenario from occurring.
- Check to make sure that your dog’s collar isn’t too tightly laced.
- If you are buying new toys, ensure that they’re not too small for your dog or too quickly to tear apart. Look out for toys with detachable components. This is especially relevant to existing toys that weren’t made for dogs. For instance, plush animal toys typically have eyes made of plastic, which are easily ripped off.
- It’s the same with the other things. It is essential to ensure that you do not leave objects that could be risky for a dog who is lying on the ground or wandering around the home. They could be objects like stones, ping-pong balls, and so on.
- Learn to teach your dog not to take food from everything they see on the streets and not to tear objects apart.
