Marcel almost died last night - choked on chew; please review your 1st Aid!

[tarczely]

is there a thread for this wow! I wouldn't have know what to do! thank you for posting this I'm going to read up on it right now! bless you for saving your yorkie and possibly one of ours.

[mojo]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Ya know...I almost didn't even post about this episode because I thought "why post about something so awful, it will just depress everyone?"....but now, I'm *really* glad I did because I see that some people didn't know that the Red Cross offered Pet First Aid/CPR courses, and some people didn't know how to do the Heimlich or rescue breathing....so really...this terrifying experience has had some good come of it. And thank you so much for all of the kind words and support, it has really helped take some of the panic and guilt away.

We now call him our "Miracle Marcel", I'm so proud of what a strong little fighter he is, we are very lucky .

I think it was a really good learning experience for us all. A horrible incident, but has really brought awareness to us all.

[Marie 1]

There is no cpr class for animals that I know of here. Someone said they are going to review the stickies. What does that mean? Where can we learn about the Heimlich for animals?

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by tarczely

is there a thread for this wow! I wouldn't have know what to do! thank you for posting this I'm going to read up on it right now! bless you for saving your yorkie and possibly one of ours.

Originally Posted by Marie 1

There is no cpr class for animals that I know of here. Someone said they are going to review the stickies. What does that mean? Where can we learn about the Heimlich for animals?

Here you go :

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...-maneuver.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...uture-use.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...red-cross.html

[twalla]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Here you go :

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...-maneuver.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...uture-use.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...red-cross.html

Ann, thank you for posting your experience. I cant imagine how you felt and God forbid, but if I ever do, I hope to be able to handle the situation as you did. You are a terrific Mom and Marcel is very lucky to have you in his life.

Big hugs to you!

[kjc]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Ya know...I almost didn't even post about this episode because I thought "why post about something so awful, it will just depress everyone?"....but now, I'm *really* glad I did because I see that some people didn't know that the Red Cross offered Pet First Aid/CPR courses, and some people didn't know how to do the Heimlich or rescue breathing....so really...this terrifying experience has had some good come of it. And thank you so much for all of the kind words and support, it has really helped take some of the panic and guilt away.

We now call him our "Miracle Marcel", I'm so proud of what a strong little fighter he is, we are very lucky .

I'm so more than glad you were able to revive Marcel and restore his breathing, and save his life.

I want to address your panic and guilt. I'm assuming your guilt is from what you perceive as your inadequacies in this situation, when you kept trying to do what your brain was remembering from articles and classes, but nothing you did was working? And your heart kicks in with the panic of losing something you love so dearly, and you feel yourself losing it at any and every moment?

I really want you to know that everything you felt is normal. The panic and urgency kicks your adrenalin into your body and brain, and your brain starts firing ideas to get Marcel breathing again, to clear the blockage. Also aids in your stamina, to keep you going and trying different things to reach your goal.

The guilt from trying things that didn't work right away... that is wrong. The only way to tell exactly what will work best, first, would have been to have an xray and there was no time for that. Stuck objects will go up or down, depending on how and where they are stuck. There was no way for you to have that information, which would have made your decision- making easier.

The only thing that is really important to remember is that what you did worked. You pushed your feelings aside every few seconds to determine what steps to take next, and you kept functioning. You did an excellent job.

And very glad you posted this thread. It is so important for people to realize that some procedures don't work right away, and they may need to try something else. And that freaking out is normal, and to expect it. And to know that sometimes a dog may lose consciousness, especially if he/she is fighting against you, you still have some time to get them breathing again once they pass out.

The one thing I could recommend to people would be to actually practice these procedures on a stuffed animal. I am a firm believer in muscle memory, and going through the motions trains your body what to do, and makes it become more automatic, so less thought will be needed to get through a situation.

I am so glad Marcel is okay. I only saw this thread tonight for the first time, I was horrified, couldn't believe it all happened. I hope you're feeling better. You couldn't have done better.

[lillymae]

Originally Posted by Marie 1

There is no cpr class for animals that I know of here. Someone said they are going to review the stickies. What does that mean? Where can we learn about the Heimlich for animals?

The next time you are at your vets office ask them to show you. Also if you call them they can tell you where you can take a class.

[TammyJM]

Originally Posted by Wylie's Mom

Here you go :

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...-maneuver.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...uture-use.html

http://www.yorkietalk.com/forums/yor...red-cross.html

Thanks for posting these...I'm going to have Geoff print them out so he and I can go over them together. I know it was hard to share what you went through, but just think about the little ones that you have now potentially helped. I think you did a great job...you were able to remain calm enough to save Marcel's life. I know, firsthand, how EXTREMELY difficult it is in that type of sitation to remain clear-headed.....VERY TOUGH!!! I saw Livi passing away right infront of my eyes and I have to tell you, I did NOT act as calmly as you did.

Hugs!
Tam

[Magda]

What a horrifying experience you had!!!! So glad he is ok and thank you so much for posting this so that we all can learn.

[kjc]

Just hoping for an update.... hoping little Marcel is doing well. Have you seen any evidence of the piece he swallowed yet?

[Wylie's Mom]

Originally Posted by kjc

Just hoping for an update.... hoping little Marcel is doing well. Have you seen any evidence of the piece he swallowed yet?

Aw, thanks Kathy . Marcel is 100% himself...as if nothing whatsoever happened. And he has poo-pooed completely normally since Saturday night, so I know the little piece just moved on out. Marcel has a very tiny mouth and anatomy, so the piece was probably so tiny that I doubt I could even have found it in his digestion. I saw nothing abnormal in any of his poos.

I'm still just overwhelmed with feeling grateful ! I can't seem to praise/thank Marcel enough for how strong he was and how grateful I am that he stayed here with us. I could almost *burst* when I look at him and consider how lucky we are, we just love him beyond description .

[Magda]

So glad he is fine again! How about a recent picture of him, he is so very very cute?

[naya69]

omg how terrifiying thaks for sharing your story x

[Dany001]

You are brave. I am glad Marcel is okay! Thanks for sharing your story so that we can all be more aware.