The Heimlich maneuver is a fundamental first aid technique used in humans, dogs, cats and other animals. Its objective is to expel a foreign object that is obstructing breathing and causing asphyxia in the animal.
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When performed correctly, the Heimlich maneuver has a high success rate and can save lives in critical moments, especially if a veterinarian is not nearby. However, to perform it properly and avoid harming the animal, it is important to follow certain steps. Does your dog choke? Learn the Heimlich maneuver for dogs below.
When to perform the Heimlich maneuver
First, make sure that the sudden coughing and signs of choking in the dog are due to an object that has become trapped in his airway. You can confirm this by checking the inside of the dog’s mouth and throat with a flashlight or by assessing what he was doing before he became ill.
The object causing the choking can be anything from bones, food, toys or materials that expand when wet. Check the type of object trapped, as some may cause more damage or be difficult to remove without proper tools. Generally, spiky and hard objects are the most difficult.
Before applying the Heimlich maneuver, try other extraction techniques, as the object may come out easily with them or they may facilitate the success of the maneuver.
Other techniques to apply before using the Heimlich maneuver
The simplest technique is to remove the object with the fingers, but only if the object is visible and not too deeply embedded. In other cases, this technique should be discarded.
Another technique uses gravity to eject the object. For small dogs, grasp them by the hip area and turn them upside down, making slight jerks to try to expel the object. For large dogs, follow a similar procedure but without lifting them off the ground. Instead, lift the hind legs, keeping the front legs in contact with the ground, like a wheelbarrow.
If these techniques do not work, perform interscapular patting, giving 5 dry pats between the dog’s shoulders with the bottom of the palm of your hand.
Performing the Heimlich maneuver
If the above techniques are unsuccessful, perform the Heimlich maneuver. To perform the Heimlich maneuver on dogs, first stick your chest to the dog’s back, wrapping your arms around the animal’s chest. Locate the lower, central rib area, also known as the pit of the stomach.
Place a fist (for large dogs) or 3/4 fingers (for small dogs) after the last rib, and place your other hand on top. Exercise firm, strong pressure inward and upward, repeating the movement at least 5 times. Be careful not to hurt the animal. Next, lower the dog and check its mouth for the object. If it has not expelled it, repeat the maneuver.
After the dog expels the object, check its vital signs and take it to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
