If your pet is unconscious/unresponsive and breathing, the best position to help them maintain an open airway is to put them into the recovery position on their right hand side. Extend their head back slightly to keep the tongue forward off the back of their throat and their airway clear.
Keep checking that they are breathing feeling their breath using the back of your hand in front of their mouth or by holding a wisp of fur in front of their nostrils to see if it moves as they exhale. Keep checking their pulse.
If you are concerned that they may be going into shock raise their hind quarters slightly and keep them supported so that their body remains straight. Gravity encourages the tongue to flop forward and the contents of the stomach to drain out. This keeps the airway clear and allows the animal to keep breathing.
Once they are in the recovery position keep checking that the animal is breathing.
First Aid for Pets provides this information for guidance and it is not in any way a substitute for veterinary advice. The author does not accept any liability or responsibility for any inaccuracies or for any mistreatment or misdiagnosis of any person or animal, however caused. It is strongly advised that you attend a practical First Aid for Pets course or take our online course to understand what to do in a medical emergency.
So basically tell it to lie down because this is exactly how my dog sleeps lol
My Yorkie 2years old can’t breath when she gets exsited
That sounds like it could possibly be related to a collapsing trachea. I have a 7-year-old Yorkie mix with this condition. My understanding is that Yorkies are one of the breeds at highest risk to get it. If that is the cause of the problem, the sooner you start managing the symptoms the better because it will slow the progression of the condition.
I have been looking desperately to see how to assist my dog if she begins to suffocate due to a paralyzed trachea. thank you!
MY pleasure, glad it was helpful
How was that diagnosed in your pup?
Hello. Was wondering if anyone has any ideas. My cat sounds like it has like fluid in its lungs and you can hear her breathing sometimes. I took her to the vet and go figure she didn’t do anything while there so they didn’t do anything. I got an appointment for with another this week. Kinda just wanted to get some opinions on what I might hear? I thought uri but if so she’s had it over a year and hasn’t transmitted it to any of my other cats. Also she still has a very big appetite and energy, constantly getting running around and trying to wrestle the other cat. Like I said any ideas would be helpful until I see the vet this week. Thanks
MYbe heart condition? Could cause buildup in lungs..
Thank you! My question would be what is the best medication to give my Yorkie instead of metylprednisone?
We would never advise on medication. Please always be guided by you Vet
My 5 lb chihuahua takes carprofen for collapsing trachea. I don’t know how much it helps her though.
This is good to know for big dogs but how about a Chihuahua? Do we use the same recovery position?
The same recovery position is fine, or you can hold them like a baby in your arms, with their head lower than their stomach (unless you suspect a spinal injury)
Hello, my french bulldog had a vomiting episode and his throat had severe inflamation. This caused his airway to collapse and he was chocking basically losing conciousness.
I would like to know how to help him better if this ever happens again. His tongue was turning fro purple to gray.
Would I use the same recovery position? If it is due to an object obstruction? What is the advice?
Really appreciate this website,
I have a peagle, Colby pit/beagle, he is about a year and nine months old. When he has breathing issues and snores I already do everything that is listed, but my question is… How do you make his sleep apnea stop instead of just helping when it happens? Fresh cut grass of certain kinds also help but what if there is none? Is there any home or herbal remedies to help. I cannot afford the high priced vet bill to even get him checked out 😥
Thank you for this advice. My vet don’t bother to explain this and my 15 yr old chi is getting this and it’s very scary and I didn’t get any guidance on how to handle his episode only a phone number to a place that cost 800$ plus for a exray she scripted him sum meds gave him a shot and sent us on our way … you’ve given me so much of a better understanding and a way to comfort him with a recovery step so I can give nothing … Thank you so very very much