It is generally very rare for a cat to die of suffocation, especially since this feline usually pays a lot of attention to what it eats. This means that you are less likely to chew or eat something that could make him choke, as is the case with dogs or even children. A true choking episode can occur when a foreign body gets stuck in the back of the throat, especially in the trachea, but it is relatively unusual for a cat to ingest something large enough to block the airways. Some cats, however, make noises that may lead you to think they are choking even though they are not actually taking any risks. For this reason, the first thing you need to do is figure out if it is actually choking and then learn how to react accordingly to save it.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Finding out if the Cat is Choking
Step 1. Check for signs of choking
It is important to be able to recognize them promptly. Among them you can note:
- Inability to breathe
- Forced cough;
- Loss of drool or retching
- The animal brings its paw to its mouth.
Step 2. Look for signs that look like choking
These include excessive effort to breathe involving the whole body, while at the same time the animal whistles on exhalation. You may be particularly impressed by these behaviors and noises. It's not easy for humans to tell when cats are really choking, because they can cough to expel and vomit the hairballs or grass they ingest. In fact, it is quite normal for cat owners to confuse vomiting of fur or grass with choking, as this is quite a common occurrence.
Step 3. Find out if the cat is really choking
Evaluate what he was doing just before. If he was sleeping or walking quietly in the room and later began to exhibit noisy signs of suffocation, this is rarely the problem, as it is unlikely that he could have caught anything with his mouth, as he did not have access to any objects. that can obstruct the airways.
Step 4. Keep him calm if he has choking-like behavior
This episode could be caused by a sudden deep breath that causes the soft palate to beat against the larynx (the airway entrance), creating a "sucker effect" between the soft palate and the air passages. In this case, you need to calm the cat and let it slowly return to its normal breathing.
- Talk to him gently, stroke his fur and also under his chin.
- In this way you stimulate him to swallow and, with this action, the cat reduces the adhesion between the palate and the larynx, restoring the correct functionality of the respiratory system. To make him swallow, offer him a very tasty morsel.
Step 5. Check the color of your gums
If all else fails, look at his gums to see if he's getting enough oxygen. If they are pink, the cat is perfectly oxygenated and is not in immediate danger. However, if they appear a little bluish or purple, it means that the animal is in hypoxia and the situation requires emergency intervention.
- In the latter case, you must immediately call the vet to inform him that you are going to him.
- If the gums are purple or bluish, take a quick look inside his mouth. If you don't see any airway obstructions or you can't get them out easily, don't waste any more time and go to the vet right away. If, otherwise, you see a foreign object and can easily extract it, remove it.
Part 2 of 2: Provide First Aid
Step 1. Deal with the situation immediately
Cats have a very delicate larynx, and if the larynx starts to spasm, the airways can close completely, asphyxiating the cat. In this case, you don't have time to wait for the vet, but you can still call him for advice and warn him that you are going to him.
Step 2. Wrap the cat in thick fabric, such as a towel
Leave only his head exposed to provide support and at the same time keep his front legs still.
Step 3. Check the inside of her mouth
Tilt his head back slightly to open his mouth wide and look inside. Press his tongue down with one finger and use tweezers to pull the object out, if visible. If you can't figure out what's choking him or the foreign body is too deep or is stuck, you don't have to try to remove it.
- Don't put your fingers in his mouth. Not only might it bite you, but you risk pushing the obstruction even deeper.
- It can be of great help to find a person to hold the cat still.
Step 4. Try to extract the element stuck in the throat
Use the palm of your hand to gently but firmly strike the space between the shoulder blades. Alternatively, you can give him several quick chest compressions by squeezing both sides of the rib cage with your hands. To do them correctly:
- Sit on the floor and hold the cat in front of you with the muzzle facing forward.
- Lift their hind legs and hold them between your knees.
- Place a hand on either side of his chest and squeeze firmly enough to compress his chest by a third. Don't exert too much force, as you could break his ribs. When you press, make jerky movements.
- The purpose is to make him cough. Press his rib cage four or five times; it should be enough to make him cough and expel the obstruction.
Step 5. If the cat is unconscious, it must be handled in another way
In the absence of oxygen, the cat may pass out; in this case, do the following:
- Open your jaws as much as possible. You don't harm them if you try to open them up as much as you can. Check if there is a foreign object; if you see it easily and it is not stuck, take a pair of tweezers and remove it. In this case, you can also use a finger, but only if you can avoid pressing on the object, otherwise you risk sticking it further in the airways.
- Blot any fluid substances with a clean cloth or tissue. Have the cat lie down on a sloping base so that the head is lower than the heart. This will facilitate the escape of liquids from the mouth, preventing them from entering the throat where the cat could breathe them. Do not use cotton wool or cotton balls, as they may stick to the walls of the throat.
- When you are sure that the airways are clear, give your cat artificial respiration, using the mouth-to-nose method. If you perform this procedure when there are no obstructions, you can save his life.
Step 6. Make a vet appointment early if you can remove the foreign body
It is important to have your cat undergo a follow-up visit to be sure that the obstruction has not caused any damage to the throat. Keep the pet calm until you take him to the doctor.
Step 7. Take him to the vet immediately if you are unable to clear the throat of the obstruction
Make sure the way you carry him is as stressful as possible (it would be extremely important to have a helper) and make sure he can have more air to try and breathe better. Call your vet to let them know you are on your way to him.
Advice
- A flashlight or other tool that can directly illuminate the cat's throat is certainly useful, because it allows you to better see the presence of the obstruction.
- Sometimes the vet might give the cat anesthesia to look at its throat more easily. He may also have X-rays or other tests on him. Additionally, the cat may be stabilized with an oxygen tent or medication, at the discretion of the doctor.
Warnings
- A semi-conscious cat may bite, be careful.
- If the cat is choking, there is a serious danger of asphyxiation; it is vital to address the problem urgently.
