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

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.

Oh my gosh how scary. I have tears just reading. so glad he is ok! did the piece end up going down?

:( I'm sorry you went through that, but glad things ended well. Thank you for taking the time to write this up. I'm going to go read up on that Yorkie CPR thread now. He's a little trooper!

Thank God your baby is still with you! Thanks for sharing such an important reminder with all of us!

OMG, Ann! How scary! I am so glad Marcel is okay! I can't imagine how terrifying that must have been.

I give Lady CET chews, too. I thought they were safer because they aren't solid, but "pressed" like particle board.

I am definitely going to review the Heimlich/CPR sticky. I only hope I can be as cool as you were in an emergency!

Wow!! I can't even imagine going through that. Good thing you knew what to do. I always worry about the chews when they get small. I'm so glad your baby is alright.

Wow. You saved him!! I just had a pet first aid and pet CPR class. It's good to know You know I am a nurse also. But it's different at work. Guess it's the emotional ties we have. I sure hope if I need to do it i will be able to focus!! So scarey for you. But thanks for raising awareness

Oh man! Marcel, dude...don't scare us like that!! :eek: Thank goodness you kept it together and did what needed to be done. Wow!

(Going to review the stickies on emergency procedures right now.)

Give that boy hugs and belly rubs from us.

omg. so glad to hear marcel is ok. so happy you were able to save his life. so scary.

OH Ann how frightening! I can't even imagine what you must have been feeling while you were trying to breath the life back into Marcel. We take the CPR classes and always hope we don't need them but you just never know. I have tears just reading what you went through. :hugs:

OMG Ann! You saved him! That is so scary! I'm sorry I'm just shocked from reading this! I can't believe a CET chew did this to Marcel.

Look at how wonderfully you reacted!

OMG just seeing this now. I am so glad you wrote the subject line in a way that we knew he was ok before reading it.
Thank you for sharing your story...it might save the life of another yorkie!
Hugs to you and Marcel.

Oh! It was just posted. :D

That must've been so scary for you & Marcel! I'm so glad he's ok.

OMG!! Thank God above for the happy ending here.

This brought forth a flood of bad memories, as I had the same thing happen to one of mine. I was as fortunate as you were... and was able to clear the obstruction too.

These chewies can be so dangerous...I always take them away when they get too small now.

So relieved and very happy to hear your little one is alive and well after this horrific scare!!