ภาวะสำลัก

Key Facts

• Key distinction: choking = difficulty inhaling; coughing = difficulty exhaling
• Attempting first aid on a coughing (not choking) pet can cause injury
• Heimlich maneuver: place pet on back, thrust gently toward spine at bottom of rib cage
• Finger sweep: slide finger along inside of mouth to remove foreign material
• Do not pull on the hyoid apparatus (Adam's apple) deep in the throat
• Common household choking hazards: string, needles, bones, balls, socks, small toys
• Proper evaluation often requires sedation, endoscopy, or X-rays
• Species: dogs and cats