Is your dog coughing excessively with a squawking sound and you think he has something stuck in his throat? Find out what you can do to help
Dogs are curious and playful animals. They often put objects in their snouts that can get stuck in their throats . While it is true that some breeds are more prone to this type of accident, any dog can have something stuck in its throat at any time, as it is more common than it seems.
It is essential that as an owner you act quickly and efficiently to avoid more serious complications, so on this occasion we give you 3 expert tips that help you know what to do if my dog has something stuck in his throat .
Symptoms to watch out for
According to Pets WebMD specialists , before acting, it is important to know how to recognize the symptoms that indicate that your dog has something stuck in its throat , since the causes can be quite varied. Some of the most common are:
- persistent dry cough
- Difficulty breathing
- excessive salivation
- gagging and vomiting
- agitation and nervousness
If you notice any of these symptoms, it is likely that your dog has something stuck in his throat and needs immediate help, so the following 3 tips can help you know what to do in those desperate moments.
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What to do when a dog has something stuck in its throat
- Act quickly. The first thing you should do is stay calm and act quickly to avoid serious complications. In many cases, the object stuck in the throat can be coughed out on its own, but in other cases more drastic measures are necessary.
- Try to remove the object. If your dog continues to cough and cannot expel the object, you must act immediately. If you have experience in canine first aid, you can try to remove the object with tweezers or with your fingers, but always very carefully and delicately to avoid damaging your dog’s throat.
- Go to the vet. If you cannot remove the object stuck in your dog’s throat, it is essential that you go to the vet immediately. An object stuck in the throat can cause serious breathing problems and even death. The vet will perform a complete physical exam and, if necessary, take an X-ray to locate the object stuck in your dog’s throat. In some cases, it may be necessary to perform an endoscopy or surgery to remove the object.
Prevention
The best way to prevent your dog from getting something stuck in his throat is to prevent the problem. Some measures you can take to avoid going through this again are:
- Avoid giving your dog small bones and objects that can get stuck in his throat.
- Always supervise your dog when playing with toys, balls, and other objects.
- Make sure your dog chews the food well and doesn’t choke.
- Make periodic checks in your dog’s mouth to make sure there are no foreign objects or broken teeth