{"id":10132,"date":"2025-03-18T18:25:29","date_gmt":"2025-03-18T18:25:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aercmn.com\/?p=10132"},"modified":"2026-01-08T10:06:41","modified_gmt":"2026-01-08T15:06:41","slug":"what-to-do-if-your-pet-is-choking","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.aercmn.com\/blog\/what-to-do-if-your-pet-is-choking\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Do if Your Pet is Choking"},"content":{"rendered":"
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If your pet experienced a choking episode or is still actively choking and struggling to breathe, these are considered \u201cRED\u201d \u2013 or true emergencies \u2013 on our Fast Track Triage system. We advise you to seek immediate veterinary care. Please call ahead of your arrival so the veterinary team knows to expect you! <\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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One quiet afternoon, Lily, a 6-year-old French Bulldog, was chewing on a bone when the worst happened \u2013 it got stuck in the back of her throat and she started actively choking! Thanks to her owner\u2019s quick thinking, Lily was rushed to Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota. There, Dr. Armeni, an emergency veterinarian, and her team acted fast. They gave Lily a sedative, oxygen supplementation, and used forceps to remove the bone that was obstructing her airway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fortunately, the bone had a hollow center which allowed Lily to breathe despite the obstruction. Without that, the situation could have been fatal. Thankfully, once the bone was removed, Lily recovered well and was able to return home to her family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sadly, not every choking emergency has a happy outcome like Lily\u2019s. When a pet\u2019s airway<\/span> or trachea<\/span> is blocked, they <\/span>can\u2019t<\/span> get the oxygen they need<\/span> which quickly turns choking into a life-threatening situation. <\/span>That\u2019s<\/span> why <\/span>it\u2019s<\/span> crucial<\/span> for pet parents to act quickly. <\/span>K<\/span>nowing how to recognize <\/span>this emergency<\/span> and what to do next can save your pet\u2019s life<\/span>!<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n

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Common Causes of<\/span> a Blocked Airway<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

First, <\/span>let\u2019s<\/span> go over <\/span><\/span>why<\/span><\/span><\/em> a pet may begin choking. <\/span><\/span>There are a variety of scenarios that may lead to a pet\u2019s airway being blocked<\/span>, but t<\/span>he most common causes include:<\/span><\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n