Pets can easily choke or become strangulated- these are common emergencies.
Common scenarios where strangulation happens:
- when pets become ensnared in another pet's collar while wrestling
- pet's collar becomes caught on something like a fence or tree branch while pet is not supervised
- pet is tied to a vehicle and the vehicle drives away
- pet is tied up and pet jumps over a fence, wall or or picnic table
- pet becomes strangled in a hammock
- pet becomes strangled in a blanket or towel that has a tear in it
Choking:
- Pets most often choke on toys (especially balls), food, and sticks
Prevention:
- supervise pets - especially when they are playing with other animals or toys
- choose toys that are safe (are not small enough to be swallowed or lodged in the airway)
- identify hazards: woven hammocks, holes in blankets/towels
- do not tie pets (especially to vehicles) and leave unattended
- check collars regularly (especially in growing pets) to ensure they are not too tight
- safety release collars can be helpful for cats that go outdoors (but safest to only allow outdoors with supervision, on leash, or in safe/enclosed "catios")
Choking First Aid
- care not to push object farther back. care not to get bit.
- activate emergency response (call for help; mobilize transport to nearest emergency vet)
- remove object from airway if it can be clearly visualized and easily performed
- pat the patient on the back/ encourage coughing with pet's head tilted downward
- Heimlich may be attempted
- of patient unreponsive/not breathing --> initiate CPR
- seek immediate emergency veterinary care regardless off whether the object was dislodged or whether there are continued concerns.
Strangulation First Aid
- Care to not get bitten
- Release pet from item causing strangulation. Often you will need to use a knife or scissors, so use extreme care to not injure yourself or others.
- Care that pet cannot run into dangers (traffic) once released
- If patient unreponsive/not breathing --> initiate CPR
- seek immediate emergency veterinary care regardless off whether the object was dislodged or whether there are continued concerns.