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Why does my dog sound like he's choking?
Choking in dogs is a common emergency. It’s typically caused by a foreign object getting stuck in the throat, or by objects getting wrapped tightly around the neck. Choking can be life-threatening so it’s vital that you contact your vet or, out of hours, your nearest Vets Now, immediately.
How can I tell if my dog is choking?
Signs that your dog is choking include extreme distress, lots of drooling and pawing at the mouth and your dog making choking sounds. Your dog may also rub his face along the ground, gag and retch. If the object is causing breathing difficulties, you may also see coughing and blue coloured skin and mucous membranes. This may eventually lead to him collapsing.
What to do if your dog is choking
Quick action is vital when your dog is choking, particularly if there’s a breathing obstruction or constant gagging. Contact your vet or, out of hours, your nearest Vets Now immediately.
While first aid, such as the Heimlich maneuver for dogs, can be tried at home, it should not delay your journey to the vets and should not be continued for more than a minute or two at most as this can be the difference between life and death.
What to do when your dog is choking?
If first aid doesn’t work within one to two minutes, get to your vet as quickly as possible as delaying could mean the difference between life and death for your dog.
When your dog is choking you should:
- restrain your dog – choking dogs will struggle and potentially bite in their panic
- carefully use a pair of scissors to cut any object wrapped around the neck
- open the mouth and look inside
- use a large pair of tweezers to retrieve or break any objects you can see
- never push at an object with your fingers if it’s lodged at the back of the throat
- never stick your fingers down the throat if no object can be seen, as this may cause damage to the delicate tissues at the back of the throat
Large objects, such as balls of rawhide, can sometimes be dislodged by placing firm pressure with both thumbs underneath the jaw at the base of the throat and pushing forwards.
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Is there a Heimlich maneuver for dogs?
If your dog has collapsed and cannot breathe, you can try a variation of the Heimlich maneuver for dogs.
To perform the Heimlich maneuver:
- For small dogs, hold his back against your stomach (head up, paws down), and find the soft hollow under the ribs. Your closed fist should fit into this spot. Pull up and in two or three times, toward your own tummy, using a thrusting motion.
- For dogs too large to lift, place him on his side and kneel behind his back. Place your closed fist in the hollow under his rib cage, and push upward and inward sharply, in the direction of your dog’s head and your knees.
Only ever do this in serious emergency situations, as it can cause damage to the chest, and your dog will need to be checked afterwards by a vet. In most cases, getting rid of the choking obstruction allows the dog to begin breathing again on his own.
What will happen to my choking dog at the vets?
The vet will confirm whether your dog is actually choking, rather than coughing or experiencing a different respiratory condition. They may sedate your dog to reduce their distress and to make it easier to examine the mouth and throat as well as remove any object.
What is the treatment for a choking dog?
In a complete obstruction, the vet may perform an emergency tracheotomy – a quick procedure that allows them to pass a breathing tube from the neck straight into the windpipe. This bypasses the obstruction, allowing your pet to breathe until it’s removed. In the worst case scenario, the vet may not be able to resuscitate a dog that has stopped breathing.
My dog has stopped choking, should I still see a vet?
Your dog should still see a vet, even if you manage to stop them choking. Some dogs bite their own tongue or the inside of the mouth, while the foreign object could have left abrasions, and dogs who have received the Heimlich manoeuvre must be checked for chest trauma.
What is the aftercare for a choking dog?
Trauma to the inside of the mouth or throat can take many days to heal, and can also make it hard or painful for the dog to eat their regular food. Making the normal diet soft by running it through the blender with warm water may help. Your vet may dispense pain relief to help during the recovery period.