[Wylie's Mom]

I don't know how much of this will make sense, bc I still feel panic when I think about what happened - but I have to share what I can in case it can help another person and doggie.

Last night, my husband was at a baseball game, I was home alone w/ the babies, and I gave the crew their CET chews. I've never had a single issue with CET chews, until last night. Marcel was near the end of his chew when suddenly he ran over to me, choking and pawing at his face. He could barely breathe. I tried doing the Heimlich several times. It didn't help. I ran downstairs with him and put him on our bed, tried the Heimlich more - he was dying, collapsing, getting weak, not getting any air now. I was literally watching his life leave his body...I can't even describe it and don't want to.

I decided to do rescue breathing as it was clear his lack of oxygen was...that he was going to die. My first couple breaths weren't effective bc in my panic, I didn't hold his mouth shut. I then held his mouth tight and forced air into his nose and then I could feel it going in. He was reviving a bit. But it was very scary bc every time I'd force air in, I'd hear bubbling, so I thought his lungs were filling with fluid. I later realized this was his mucus membranes reacting/swelling/releasing fluid at the back of his nose.

He was still choking, so I did more Heimlich, even harder. Though you are not supposed to, I shoved my entire forefinger down his throat about 3 times, trying to move things inside his throat area.

He was getting weaker and weaker, so I kept breathing for him - and I pushed my breath really hard, thinking I might dislodge the piece and/or open his throat in some way. I tried calling my vet at the same time. Closed. The emergency clinic is 25 mins away, and if I got in the car, I knew he would die bc I couldn't drive and give him breath. I was begging Marcel to stay with us, please don't go please Marcel please!

He started to get slight air. I called my husband, in total panic, barely cohesive, Marcel in one hand, phone in the other hand - I was shaking so hard at this point I could barely hold the phone. I told husband Marcel was dying, and I can't drive or I'll lose him.

At some point while I was holding Marcel and talking to my husband, Marcel started panting a little, then panting more, then panting like he just exercised. It took me awhile to realize his airway was clearing. He was breathing. I got off the phone w/ my husband so I could focus on Marcel. He continued to pant and get oxygen. The panting slowed and became more normal.

Over the next several minutes, he was returning to his normal self as I was holding him - he just seemed very tired. He wanted water right away and drank it fine. Then I had him lick peanut butter off of my finger so I could see his swallowing mechanism. About 20mins later, I fed him a 2nd dinner. Later that night and today, it's as if nothing happened.

But, I cannot believe he is here...after what I saw him go through. I felt so helpless, and it was so obvious that he was dying, that I just can't believe he is HERE, that he is alive...my baby is here.

So please everyone, REVIEW how to rescue breathe and teach yourself how to do the Heimlich on your dogs. I can tell you that I had to Heimlich much harder/firmer than I thought I would to cause a "whoosh" of forced air from the gut. You must do it FAST/ABRUPT and HARD - in a quick, hard pulse - to the get the "whoosh!".

And when you rescue breathe, CLOSE their mouth - and then breathe into their nose. You must close their mouth.

I'm sorry this was long, but this is what can happen...just like *that*. So hug your babies, be careful, and know your emergency skills....which I truly hope you'll never have to use, but learn them just in case.