I looked around the forum to see if there was a thread specifically for choking dogs and what to do, but I couldn't find one so I decided it'd be a good idea to create one! Especially since people don't often think to Google things (like me), and I think people will be more likely to read this and remember it if we all chip in what we know.

Some of this information was gained via Wikipedia, other bits and pieces were gained from various online articles.

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If, like me, you've just started raw feeding and are still worried about feeding your dog chicken bones, in the case that he/she might choke--a rare occurrence, but still a possibility, as with kibble and even toys. Everything is a risk!--, then this might help you relax a bit if you know how to deal with the situation. Likewise for if you just want to know how to possibly save your dog from choking on everyday things!

Dogs are always investigating things, and one way of doing so is by picking up objects in their mouths--much like a baby would! Balls, sticks, bones and small toys, etc. If they sniff it and it smells good, or even if it doesn't, chances are, they're going to pick it up! If your dog suddenly starts to run around in circles, pawing at his mouth, is acting in a wild and disoriented manner, he might have something stuck in his throat which he is attempting to dislodge. This thread should help you figure out if your dog is choking, and what to do if he is!

Check for signs that he is choking;

- Is your dog pawing at his mouth?
- Is he coughing forcefully, constantly?
- Is there any excessive drooling or maybe gagging?
- Is he wheezing, gasping for breath?
- Are your dog's gums or lips turning blue or white?
- Is he vomiting, or attempting to vomit?
- Is he whimpering as if in pain? Is your dog in obvious discomfort? Is he/she frantic and panicky?

NOTE; Not all choking dogs cough or gag. Very often, vets are called by frantic owners claiming that they suspect their dog of choking, or that there is something stuck in its throat. They end up rushing their pet to the emergency vets, only to discover that they've over reacted. If your dog coughs every so often, but otherwise seems fine, chances are that it's kennel cough or something of the sort. But, all the same, if your dog has a consistent cough for more than three days, call your vet for a check-up.

Seek help quickly!

- If you think your dog is choking, or you have any doubts at all as to whether your dog is able to breathe (he/she won't be able to cough or make noise if he cannot breathe), immediately call the emergency number for your veterinarian--you may be talked through first aid procedures while waiting for emergency help and likely you will be asked to bring your pet in immediately.

- If you cannot reach your vet, look for emergency, 24 hour vets. Their number will usually be in the phone book, or you can call a local animal welfare or rescue agency for details. Emergency vets or animal hospitals are usually available in major towns and cities. It is highly recommended that you have an emergency, 24 hour vets' details saved into your phone or written on a piece of paper somewhere that you can easily get to. You can't rely on your vet to always be available to you.

- Your local emergency number will be able to give you the RSPCA or the Humane Society emergency number. They will have an emergency vet to give you help on the phone.

- Continue helping your dog until you can get him to veterinary help.

Initially, if your dog is capable of coughing, wait a few moments to see if your dog can manage to cough up the obstruction on his own. Only wait for this possibility if your dog seems to be able to breathe well still. If any of the other symptoms are present (namely, wheezing, struggling, gasping for breath), start helping immediately.

Commence helping your dog the best you can while getting him to medical help.

Try to look in the dog's mouth and see what is present. Pull your dog's mouth open gently, move the tongue out with your fingers if needed, so that you can look into his throat. If it's dark, do this using a torch.

- Restrain a larger dog before opening his mouth wide. Do this by grabbing the scruff of hair between the ears and holding the dog's head steady.

- If you can locate the obstruction, grasp it with pliers or tweezers and remove the obstruction as gently as possible.

- Unless you can clearly see and grasp the obstruction in a larger dog (namely, it is easy to grab and pull), and your dog is not frantic, it is not advisable to stick your fingers into your dog's mouth, as you risk lodging the object in even deeper if you accidentally push it without being able to see it. In addition, you risk being bitten badly if the dog is frantic. In the case you are not able to remove it with certainty, proceed to the next step.

Help your dog to dislodge the obstruction.

Small to medium size dog - Pick up a small or medium dog by his/her hind legs. Hold the dog upside down and try to shake the object out of his/her mouth with the benefit of gravity.

Large dog - Hold the dog upside down but instead of holding the whole dog upside down (next to impossible!), keep his/her front paws still on ground or a bench and lift up his hind legs (in the same manner as holding a wheelbarrow) and tilt him forward.

When you cannot remove the object, try back blows.
Using the heel of your hand, deliver 4-5 sharp blows on the dog between the shoulder blades.

If nothing else helps while you still have not gotten your dog to help, and your dog cannot breathe, you might consider performing the Heimlich maneuver on him/her, in the hope of quickly removing whatever is blocking his/her throat. Only start the Heimlich maneuver if you see your dog put something small into his mouth, and then immediately begin pawing at his face, or throat, trying to vomit or has an obvious breathing problem.

- Place your arm around the dog's waist. Ensure that your dog's head points down.

- Form a fist and bring your other hand around and cover your fist with it.

- Your two handed fist should be placed between the dog's abdomen and its ribcage (the soft spot just under the ribcage). The size of the dog will affect the exact positioning of your hands. But if you have a small to medium sized dog, you will want to use 2 fingers with the same amount of force so you do not damage your dog's ribcage.

- Quickly and firmly give three to five thrusts inwards and upwards.

- Repeat as often as is necessary to dislodge whatever is blocking your dog's airway.

If you are able to remove the object, make sure that your dog is breathing normally. If not, then start artificial respiration on him immediately! If your dog has no pulse, commence CPR (cardio-pulmonary resuscitation) on your dog. The link below will give you information on how to do that.

Perform CPR on a dog.

Repeat the above procedures while getting your dog to the vet. Keep your pet calm and get your dog to the vet as quickly and as safely as possible!

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Thanks for that.

Hopefully we'll never have to do it but all four of us ladies are trained in human CPR and the Heimlich so sort of have an idea with dogs but I'd be much more scared to do this with one of my dogs than I have been at the hosp. Prob cos I love 'em so much!

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Flynn - Kali - Britches - Bruce - T-Bo - Marty



"For the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack"