If your dog has a small ball or other object lodged in his windpipe and is having trouble breathing, do the Heimlich maneuver immediately. If the Heimlich maneuver doesn’t work, rush him to a vet. If your dog is gasping for breath, cool him if he’s hot, calm him, and transport him to a veterinary hospital immediately.

Symptoms and Types

1. Retching.
2. Gagging.
3. Loss of energy.
4. Loss of appetite.
5. Depression.
6. Excessive salivation, drooling.
7. Regurgitation.
8. Restlessness.

When something is ingested by your dog, it usually takes between 10-24 hours to move through the entire digestive tract. Some objects, however, can take much longer – even months! Sometimes, objects are too big to progress through the digestive tract, and when this is the case, they cause an obstruction.

It is possible for a dog to pass a foreign object in as little as 10 to 24 hours. This is only if it is small enough to pass through the digestive tract and doesn’t become stuck. Due to the dangers of internal blockages you should call a vet for an expert view.

Immediate Care for Swallowed Objects If you know your dog swallowed an object, call your veterinarian immediately and take your dog to the vet’s office as soon as possible. The doctor may be able to induce vomiting or retrieve the object from the stomach before serious problems set in.

What is the treatment for a choking dog? In a complete obstruction, the vet may perform an emergency tracheotomy — a quick procedure that allows them to pass a breathing tube from the neck straight into the windpipe. This bypasses the obstruction, allowing your pet to breathe until it’s removed.

Kennel cough, which is a type of respiratory infection, is a common cause of dog gagging, which results in a harsh, goose-like cough, sometimes followed by a gag. There are other infectious diseases that can also cause gagging, and a more severe disease—pneumonia—can sometimes cause gagging in dogs, as well.

Dogs with severe difficulty breathing difficulties may require supplemental oxygen, which will involve a stay at a veterinary hospital. Medication to help your dog breathe (e.g., bronchodilators, steroidal anti-inflammatories) may be given. Heart medications may be needed if your dog has a heart condition.

What Are the Symptoms of Seizures? Symptoms can include collapsing, jerking, stiffening, muscle twitching, loss of consciousness, drooling, chomping, tongue chewing, or foaming at the mouth. Dogs can fall to the side and make paddling motions with their legs. They sometimes poop or pee during the seizure.

If your dog’s stomach is hard, that could be a sign of bloat and requires immediate veterinary attention. Any examination with your fingers and hands (palpation) that causes groaning or difficulty breathing.