Is Your Dog Choking? What To Do In This Situation?

Maybe something is stuck in your dog’s throat. This is the simple physical cause of choking. This happens because dogs eat their food quite fast without chewing it properly. Chews and toys are also a cause of choking hazards. Don't put a caller too tightly on your dog's neck. It can also choke their throats. Don't pull their collars hard. Also, do not hang collars on your dog's neck all the time. Dogs feel uncomfortable at this. They might fall victim to choking due to this.

If you see your dog joking due to an unfamiliar object, clear the dog’s mouth first. Swipe your fingers as far as possible after opening your dog's mouth gently. If you get an unfamiliar object, gently pull it out of the mouth. Usually, this is enough to resolve mild choking.

Does your dog have mild choking? It's good to call a vet. The unfamiliar object might be harmful to your dog. Your vet will help clear it. Have you removed the object? Even after that, you should consult your vet. He will check whether the dog's throat is damaged. He can also tell you if there are other complications. Does your dog have minor and frequent bouts of choking? You should call a vet then. Your dog might be going through some underlying medical conditions. The vet can tell you that.

There are multiple symptoms of choking in dogs. Coughing is the most common sign among them. Dogs make a gagging and spluttering sound if choking happens. A choking dog can also scratch its throat with its paw. They also behave frantically. They are agitated. They may also pace around if choking occurs. You will also see laboured breathing in a choking dog. They may also stop breathing entirely. If a dog’s throat is fully or mostly blocked, the dog will become unconscious and weak.

Your dog may suffer from an underlying medical condition. Collapsing trachea is common among them. If the trachea collapses, the windpipe becomes compressed and fluffy. That is why it can’t support breathing. This ends up in a temporary choking of a dog. On the other hand, specific infections and allergies can also cause choking in dogs. You can also notice a swollen throat in this condition.

Heimlich Maneuver is for clearing choking in humans. However, it can be helpful for dogs as well. Can’t you clear the foreign object from the dog’s throat? If yes, first, give the dog five hard and firm taps. It should be between shoulder blades. Sometimes, that is enough to clear choking in dogs. If it can’t, lift the dog by the hind legs. Make a wheelbarrow pose. Place your arms near the abdomen. Press the abdomen [below the ribs] nearly 5 times. Now, try to get the object again. Tap the shoulder blades 5 times. Be very careful. This may injureThis makes your dog take small bites of their meals. So do it only in serious condition.

Generally, any dog can choke. However, certain dogs suffer from choking more often than others. These dogs try to eat their meals too quickly. They also try to chew inedible objects. Such as trash, toys, clothes, etc. Usually, small breed dogs suffer from joking due to a collapsing trachea. Sometimes, being overweight can also cause choking in dogs.

To prevent choking in dogs, you need to make your dog a slow eater. You can buy a slow feeder bowl. This makes your dog take small bites of their food. You can also use a puzzle feeder. A puzzle feeder only dispenses a small quantity of meals at a time. Keep your dog in a close watch. Do not let it chew toys. If the Toy breaks, keep it away from the dog.

Usually, a dog's windpipes never block fully. Going to a vet can resolve the issue in a few minutes. But, is it the issue with a collapsing trachea? If so, the prognosis depends on how quickly the unfamiliar thing is removed. Only then, your dog can breathe again. In such a condition, the prognosis might be complicated. It is not fatal. But, you can't cure the dog permanently. Therefore, it can harm your dog's life. However, research shows many dogs lead a normal life with a collapsing trachea. You need to do regular treatments for the condition.

Some symptoms are similar to choking. Kennel cough is one of them. Always remember, that it is a highly contagious viral disease. It can make the dog gagging. The dog may also suffer from mouth pain. This is caused by any dental issues or injuries. On the other hand, something may be stuck between your dog's teeth. It can make your dog agitated. They can scratch their mouth with their paws. Sputtering and gagging are also two signs of choking. They can be caused by certain digestive issues as well.