What is the
Heimlich maneuver?
Also known as the
hug of life, the Heimlich maneuver is performed on a pet who's
upper air passageway is blocked by a foreign object. It is
designed to force the object out of the passageway by applying a
sudden squeeze of pressure on the cat's abdomen, which forces
air up the windpipe & trachea & dislodges the object.
What are the
signs of choking in cats?
How to perform
the Heimlich maneuver:
Open the cat's
mouth & pull the cat's tongue forward. See if it possible
to remove the object with a finger sweep. Don't perform a blind
finger sweep as you may push the object further down. Be careful
not to be bitten. If this is not possible, you will have
to continue onto the Heimlich maneuver below;
-
Pick up your cat
& hold his back against your stomach, with his head up & his
feet hanging down.
-
Place your fist
just underneath the rib cage, you will feel the soft, hollow
place easily.
-
Give four
forceful thrusts with your fist (not your arms) inward towards
your belly, while also applying an upwards pressure at the
same time.
-
Check the mouth
for the object with a finger sweep. If the object has been
dislodged, it is no longer necessary to perform the Heimlich
maneuver. If he is still not breathing, perform another check
of the mouth as the object may have been dislodged enough to
grab it with your fingers. If it still hasn't been dislodged
perform the Heimlich maneuver again.
-
Check the ABC
(airway, breathing & circulation), and perform artificial
respiration or
CPR if
necessary.
-
Seek veterinary
attention immediately. Even if the object has been dislodged
it is still strongly urged you see your veterinarian to give
your cat an overall check.
Do not practice
this procedure on an animal or person. Only use when necessary.
Please note:
The medical
articles on this site have not been written by a veterinarian &
should not be considered a replacement for a veterinarian visit.
The articles are provided for informative purposes only.
Always seek
immediate veterinary advice for any problems (health or
behavioral) in your pets.
While great care
has been made in the creation of these articles, we cannot
guarantee the accuracy or omissions on these pages. If in any
doubt whatsoever, seek professional medical advice.
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