Heimlich For Dogs

Heimlich maneuver for Dogs: How to prevent your dog from choking

It’s no secret that dogs love to chew. As a dog owner, you will notice that they love to chew anything, even rawhide. Sadly, this behavior is quite dangerous. For starters, dogs experience the most veterinary emergencies involving choking than cats. Worse still, there is a group of dogs more susceptible to choking due to their eating habits.

1. How to tell if your dog is choking

Unfortunately, few dog-owners are somewhat aware of the situation until its worse. This means the likelihood of dogs choking and going unnoticed will occur. So, how do you tell if a dog is coking? 

We always recommend that you immediately contact your vet if you suspect your pug might be choking. They will guide you through the basics of first aid and practical pet CPR. 

Also, an emergency may need to tell it from your view. Usually, when a dog is choking, till will start to panic. At this stage, coughing is frequent due to the blockage or irritation within the throat or lungs. 

1. How to do the Heimlich maneuver

As the National Safety Council puts it, the Heimlich Maneuver is your best pet in not saving your dog but also another person. According to the research, the Heimlich maneuver is CPR for your pet that helps dislodge any blockages and prevent choking. It uses abdominal thrusts. 

So how do you perform it? Here are the steps. 

Start by restraining the dog from preventing any panic attack. Be sure not to use a muzzle or harness. 

1. For small dogs

• Stand behind the dog while putting your arms in the belly. Join your hands and make a fist on one end. 
• Grab your fist and push upward and inward the dog’s abdomen. 
• Get the dog to lay on the side with one hand as support for the back
• Continue squeezing the inwards and upwards focusing towards the spine
• Afterward, check for any objects dislodged in the dog’s mouth 
• Seek immediate medical attention for artificial respiration or CPR. 

1. Large pugs

• Move down to the dog’s level and perform the above steps to remove any objects
• After the Heimlich maneuver, take precautions and check the insides of your dog’s throat and mouth. 

If you are unsure of the situation seeking a veterinary is always advisable. With professional help, you will get a physical examination of your pet’s body and recommend the best treatment. 

References : AKC, NSC, Wikipedia, CPR Certification Training Online