Our Dog Choked, and the Heimlich saved him.

We have had more than one occasion to need to use the Heimlich Maneuver on a dog. There are several versions out there on how to do this.

This is how we did it.

Sheriff Tom, our schnauzer, came to us, panicked and unable to take a breath. Jax reached under the dogs abdominal area, found the spot behind the last rib that feels like a V, where the ribs stop. She put the other hand on top of Tom's back to brace him, and pulled up forcefully, compressing air hard enough to shoot the object from my dogs throat. She pumped and pushed several times before the turkey liver shot out.

I've done this maneuver in the same way on another dog with the same results. This may not be the official scientific method to Heimlich a dog, but this is what we did and it worked.

If the dog has passed out, I've read you could put her on her side, find the place next to the last rib, and press there, inward and slightly upward to force the air out. If you have a friend handy, they could look in the mouth and try to remove the obstruction.

The dog may need a visit to the vet to see if some damage has been done.

Sheriff Tom was fine and we didn't need the vet visit. He never passed out, and the item that choked him was a very soft turkey liver. So no damage was done to his throat.

In fact, when the liver shot out of his throat, it launched about 4 feet away. Sheriff Tom rushed over before we could get there, swallowed it and choked again. And again the Heimlich maneuver saved him. We beat him to the liver the second time. He is a rascal.