Dog Throat异物处理：Immediate Steps & Tips

Symptoms of a Foreign Object in a Dog's Throat

It's not uncommon for dog owners to miss the immediate signs of a dog experiencing choking due to a foreign object stuck in their throat. Therefore, if your dog exhibits any of the following symptoms, it's crucial to act quickly and inspect their mouth:

Vomiting

Swallowing saliva

Increased swallowing attempts

Excessive drooling

How to Check for a Foreign Object in a Dog's Throat

The ideal scenario for checking involves two people, with a flashlight being the most essential tool. More hands are better, especially when dealing with large breeds. When it comes to flashlights, a professional dental light is the best choice, though not everyone will have access to one. A smartphone's flashlight can serve as a suitable alternative.

Methods to Remove a Foreign Object from a Dog's Throat

Manual Removal

Many foreign objects are actually located in the deeper part of the mouth. If you're alone, pick up the dog, supporting its body with your arm, and gently grasp the upper and lower jaws. When you need to remove the object, use the hand holding the upper jaw, while maintaining a firm grip on the lower jaw.

Having someone help is ideal. One person can cradle the dog in their arms, holding the lower jaw with one hand and gently pulling the tongue out with the other. The second person can then inspect the mouth from various angles.

Caution: If you cannot see the foreign object, it's imperative to take your dog to the vet immediately.

Gravity Method

For small dogs, you can simply lift them by their hind legs, head down, and gently tap the middle of their shoulder blades to encourage them to cough up the object. Larger dogs can also be helped using this method, though you'll need to lift their back legs and have them support themselves with their front legs while tapping the shoulder blades. If your dog is too large or heavy for this, skip this step and proceed to the next method.

Heimlich Maneuver

You read that right; the same Heimlich maneuver used for humans can be effective for dogs. Place the dog across your chest with its head facing forward. With your left hand, make a fist and place it below the dog's ribcage. Use your right hand to press down on the fist, rhythmically applying pressure to the abdomen. The Heimlich maneuver uses the remaining air in the chest to dislodge the object. Don't underestimate the importance of learning this technique, as it has saved countless lives worldwide, and numerous cases involving dogs have shown its effectiveness.

In a Nutshell:

Some dogs, particularly certain breeds, tend to eat very quickly and impulsively. To prevent a repeat of the tragic scenario at the beginning of this article, it's advisable for owners of these fast eaters to invest in a puzzle bowl, also known as a slowfeeder bowl. If you find cleaning the puzzle bowl cumbersome, consider placing a few large stones in the bowl. Yes, stones – a simple yet effective solution to encourage your dog to eat more slowly and safely.