Dogs will chew on just about anything, and these pets never consider whether or not their choice is wise. Dogs will chew on bones, toys, shoes, shoestrings, socks and more without even considering the dangers. If something gets lodged in your pet's windpipe or palate, the animal can choke. It is very important that you don't wait for veterinary assistance in this situation, as your dog may suffocate while you are waiting for the vet to arrive.

Instead, you need to watch your dog closely and diagnose the choking yourself. Chances are that if your dog is suffocating, it will panic. The animal may paw at its mouth or may move in circles frantically. Some dogs have an opposite response and will become unresponsive and unconscious. If your pet has this reaction, check his or her throat and mouth to look for nay foreign objects.

The most common items that dogs choke on include:

• Rubber balls
• Chew toys
• Sticks
• Lumps of gristle
• Shoelaces

While you help your dog to stop choking, remember that your dog will be in a panic. You don't want to muzzle the animal, but you want to act carefully to avoid injury. Use both hands to open your pet's moth and then press the lips over the dog's teeth.

This way, they are between the teeth and your fingers and can protect you in case the animal should choose to bite down. While holding the animal's mouth open, look inside the mouth and remove any obstructions with your fingers. If you can't remove the obstruction, then try using a flat spoon handle to pry the item out of the mouth.

Sometimes, it isn't that easy. A dog may be choking on something that is lodged further down in his or her throat. If you have a small dog, it's best to gently shake and wind the animal in hopes of dislodging the item. If this does not work, apply forward pressure to your pet's abdomen just behind the rib cage.

If you have large dog, do not pick it up or shake it. Instead, perform the Heimlich maneuver on the dog but pulling it up so that it is standing and pushing firmly up and forward just behind the rib cage. If the dog is lying down, place one hand on the back for support and squeeze the abdomen up with the other hand. Check the dog's mouth to remove any objects that may have been dislodged with your fingers and remove them.

Items stuck in your pet's throat may have done significant damage, so we highly suggest that you call a vet after you have dislodged the item and take your pet in from a checkup. The vet may want to do a bronchoscopy to check for damage in the throat or may be able to detect brain damage from a lack of oxygen. If you want more information about choking and your pet, call a local vet today!