What Should I Do If There Is A Risk Of Asphyxiation In Dogs?
Sometimes, your dog’s instincts can be counterproductive. Think, for example, of the habit of grabbing and biting objects that attract his attention. What if he were to grab a small object or a children’s toy? Swallowing items like these can induce asphyxiation and require emergency veterinary intervention.
Consequently, it is strongly recommended that, as pet owners, we are aware of the first aid interventions that need to be applied, before rushing to the nearest veterinary clinic.
What is asphyxiation?
Asphyxia is the condition that occurs when the body does not receive sufficient oxygen. In medical terms, this oxygen deficit is known as “hypoxia”. It should be borne in mind that the most common causes of asphyxiation in a dog are: presence of a foreign body in the throat, drowning or inhalation of toxic substances.
What are the signs of asphyxiation in dogs?
The first symptom of asphyxia is the presence of extreme anxiety, wheezing or effort to breathe with the hyperextended head and neck. If the lack of oxygen persists over time, the dog is bound to lose consciousness.
As suffocation persists, it is possible to observe the presence of a state of cyanosis, the most evident sign of which is represented by the blue hue assumed by the tongue and mucous membranes.
How can we know if there is something blocking a dog’s throat?
Commonly, the suspicion of suffocation arises as a result of the sounds emitted by our dog. Dogs can cough for many reasons, but one of the most common is having their throat blocked by some foreign body.
An important aspect when determining whether there is an object obstructing your dog’s throat is the breed. Some breeds, in fact, such as the Labrador, the Golden Retriever or the Beagle, are greedy by nature and, therefore, more predisposed to eat something that they should not ingest.
Other breeds, on the other hand, may show a tendency to suffer from asphyxiation: they are known as “brachycephalic dogs”. This is the case, for example, of pugs, bulldogs and some breeds of mastiff dogs.
What should I do if I notice my dog swallowing something that causes him to asphyxiate?
Before running to the vet, if your dog has a foreign body blocking his throat, you can try the following tips:
- Immediately open the muzzle to take a look at the oral cavity and check if it is not possible to extract the object with your hand. It is not recommended to remove objects with sharp points or edges, such as chipped bones, needles, scissors, etc.
- If your pet is a small dog, you can tilt its head down and at the same time try to pull the object out. In the case of large dogs, lifting the hind legs can be helpful.
- Perform the Heimlich maneuver : this is a proven technique that can save a life in the event of suffocation by suffocation. Stand behind the dog, either standing or kneeling. Surround him with your arms and rest his paws on your legs. From this position, apply pressure to the back of the ribs, inward and upward, to cause him to start coughing or vomiting. The more the dog spits, the better, because this action will make it easier for the object to come out.
Medical treatment to remove objects stuck in the throat
First, the doctor will try to locate the foreign body by taking an x-ray as soon as possible.
The treatments will be applied at the discretion of the veterinary professional who intervenes to resolve the emergency. The following are some of the most common treatments for eliminating objects:
- If less than 48 hours have passed, she could eliminate them with sedation and endoscopy. This process involves inserting a tube equipped with a camera and pliers, which is used to remove the object. The vet may also try oral application of petroleum jelly if he feels it is more accessible.
- If more than 48 hours have passed, your vet will consider having surgery to remove the foreign body. Part of the problem is that there will now be adhesions in the digestive tract.
Do not give in to the temptation to resort to self-medication
It is very important to consult your veterinarian and avoid medicating your pet using anti-diarrheal, anti-emetic or analgesic drugs, because in this case you will only hide the symptoms and make the situation worse.
Finally, it is important to emphasize the importance of prevention. Do not leave dangerous objects within reach of your dog, especially in places where it is not under your control. Also, be careful what you feed your pet – bones that have been cooked can be very dangerous, as they break and chip easily and can get stuck in their throat.
