When you're out on a walk with your dog, it's important to know how to perform the Heimlich Maneuver in case of emergency. The Heimlich Maneuver is a technique that helps dislodge an object from your dog's throat and save his life. It works on humans and animals alike, so if you've ever had a small child who ate something they shouldn't have (like for example, a hot dog), then you already know how effective this technique is!
In this post, I'll show you step-by-step how to perform the Heimlich Maneuver on your furry friend. I'll also explain why it's important to learn this skill and how it can help prevent deaths among dogs at home where there are no doctors available 24/7 like hospitals do have. So let's get started!
1. Place your dog on its side
- Place your dog on its side, with its head facing you and the chest facing away from you. Make sure it is comfortable, not choking or in pain, and there are no dangerous animals or people around.
- Wrap one arm around the dog's abdomen just below their rib cage on the right side of their body (if they're lying on their right side). Put your other hand behind their neck with fingers interlaced above where they would feel if they were human beings; this helps keep them stable while performing abdominal thrusts.
- With both hands holding firmly onto these areas of your pet's body as described above (one hand at each location), apply quick upward and forward thrusts until nothing else comes up from within him/herself.
2. Give five quick upward thrusts to the abdomen
The Heimlich maneuver is a technique used to force air out of an obstructed airway. The maneuver was developed by Dr. Henry Heimlich, who then published his findings in a medical journal in 1974.
The Heimlich maneuver is not used to treat choking because it isn't effective at removing food or other objects from the throat or mouth; instead, it's designed to help people who have stopped breathing due to a lack of oxygen reaching their lungs as a result of an airway blockage. It's also not recommended for heart attack patients because chest compressions are better suited for this purpose than abdominal thrusts (the latter will only worsen any damage already done).
The technique can be performed on anyone regardless of age--even infants and toddlers who are unable to cough forcefully enough alone--and has proven successful in saving countless lives over the years since its inception (though some studies have shown mixed results).
3. Check for breathing or coughing
- Check for breathing or coughing. If your dog is still not breathing, check its mouth and throat to see if anything is lodged there. If there's no object in the airway and you can't find anything else wrong with your pet, try performing the Heimlich maneuver again (see step 2).
- Call your veterinarian immediately if:
- Your pet stops responding during this procedure; or
- You perform 5 cycles of chest compressions without any improvement in signs of life; or
- You have tried everything else listed here and still have no success with dislodging an item from your dog's airway
4. If there is no improvement, repeat steps 1 through 3 as needed until the object is expelled from the dog's airway.
If there is no improvement, repeat steps 1 through 3 as needed until the object is expelled from the dog's airway. Call your veterinarian if your dog does not start breathing on its own after performing the Heimlich maneuver on it or if it becomes unconscious or stops responding during this procedure.
5. Call your veterinarian if your dog does not start breathing on its own after performing the Heimlich maneuver on it or if it becomes unconscious or stops responding during this procedure.
If you're alone, call your veterinarian and then perform the Heimlich maneuver. If you can't reach the dog's airway, try using a leash or rope to pull the object out. Get behind the dog and place your hands around its abdomen just below its ribcage. Press firmly upward on one side of its body while pulling back toward yourself on the other side, repeating this motion until there is no longer resistance from your efforts and then call for help immediately if necessary (and continue CPR if needed).
If someone else is present who knows how to perform CPR on animals:
- Check if they need first aid themselves following their own injuries sustained while performing this procedure; if so, attend to them first before proceeding further with care for any injured pets;
- Have them call the veterinarian while continuing with steps 3 through 5 above until paramedics arrive at the scene;
The Heimlich maneuver can save a dog's life in an emergency situation. Dogs can get stuck in things like bones, toys, or balls. The Heimlich maneuver can help dislodge the object that has become lodged in the dog's throat or esophagus by pressing on its abdomen with quick thrusts until they cough up whatever is stuck there.
It's important to note that this method should only be used on large dogs under the supervision of a veterinarian; it should never be attempted by someone who isn't trained in first aid techniques for animals or without proper equipment (such as gloves). Here are step-by-step instructions for performing the Heimlich maneuver:
If your dog is choking and you suspect that it needs the Heimlich maneuver, call your veterinarian. The dispatcher will be able to give you more specific instructions on how to help your pet. If the dog starts breathing again on its own before you reach an emergency facility, take it there immediately so they can check for any lasting damage from the incident.
