September 25, 2010

I put my DOGSAFE canine first aid skills to work this morning with Oli. I think I'm still getting over it, but she seems fine! 

She got a piece of a stick stuck in her throat this morning.  She was outside and I had gone in to grab something and when I came back out she was rubbing her face with her paws and I knew IMMEDIATELY what was going on.

I approached her and put my fingers down her throat and felt wood, not too far down. I did start to panic (as you mentioned was normal in class!) as she was in distress and my first reaction was to head for my vet. Pajama clad, I tried to make it out to the car and quickly realized I wouldn't be able to drive with Oli in the car like that, and I also felt like time was of essence.

I got calmer, and then knelt down in the drive way and got a hold of her. I guess the piece came loose from her throat and then got stuck tight in the roof of her mouth. I used my keys (as gently as possible while still being quick) to get it out. After that, I swept her throat with my fingers, as far down as I could go, and didn't feel anything else.  

After that I watched her for a bit, then gave her a small amount of kibble to make sure she could swallow fine, and she could. So....it felt good to know what to do, and I would have gone for the gravity or abdominal thrusts if I had to.

It was scary, and I felt fumbly, but I did know what I needed to do, and I am very grateful for that. So, thank you, once again, for the fantastic work you do for our canine community.

Jill Johnston
DOGSAFE Graduate, May 2, 2010

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