|
|
Post by Deleted on May 11, 2011 16:15:04 GMT -5
Last night Olivia was eating some quail bone-in meat and started choking. I stayed calm, watched her patiently and after a few seconds she managed to dislodge the piece of food/bone (not sure if she was choking per say or if it was just stuck in her mouth) and chew and swallow it and was perfectly fine.
This got me thinking though... what would I have done had she not been able to get it out, continued choking or gone unconscious?
I know a lot of human 1st aid and CPR (I have competed in first aid competitions before and am pretty much just a level below a paramedic as far as my training goes) but I know that human techniques don't always apply so well to animals. Although I am sure I would have attemped a mini-heimleich maneuver had I not known what else to do ;D
But I would like to know the proper way to treat choking and do CPR in ferrets, if there is one. Does any one know?
How likely is it that a ferret will actually choke on raw food? Or that you'd ever have to do CPR?
|
|
|
|
Post by shilohismygirl on May 11, 2011 16:56:49 GMT -5
There is, and there was a time I had to use the ferret heimlich on Oz. This was posted on the old forum, but I don't know if it's posted on here. I read it sometime before Oz choked thank goodness, because I am almost convinced that if I hadn't know it, that Oz may not be with us now. The piece of meat was pretty lodged in there. www.ferrets.org/First_Aid_Info.htmAlso, keep in mind that more ferrets choke on kibble than meat, and it happens to most fuzz at one time or another though the severity is different for each incident. Read this, reread it, and keep it close in your mind. You very well may need it, just like with the human heimlich! Just so you know, you might have to use more force than you want to use while handling them while they're like this because they are in extreme panic mode. Oz was bashing himself about the cage, at first making gagging noise, and then no noise at all, but in his panic, he was resisting me at every turn! You can't imagine how scared I was (actually, you probably can!). Also, really press firmly on the diaphram because seriously, being too gentle may not do enough good and if they get a little bruise it's better than them being dead and choking to death. Don't be afraid to take action. |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 11, 2011 17:16:32 GMT -5
Thank you! That's exactly what I was looking for!  I am so glad that everything turned out well with Oz!! |
|
|
|
Post by shilohismygirl on May 11, 2011 17:18:13 GMT -5
I'm glad it helped. It helped me a ton, and everything did turn out great with Oz. He's sleeping happily in his hammy right now.
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 11, 2011 17:22:34 GMT -5
I'm glad it helped. It helped me a ton, and everything did turn out great with Oz. He's sleeping happily in his hammy right now. Awe  I love when stories have happy endings!  |
|
|
|
Post by shilohismygirl on May 11, 2011 21:15:30 GMT -5
Me too! I probably would have had a nervous breakdown if it hadn't been for remembering that article! It is pinned somewhere round here, I think!
|
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on May 11, 2011 21:24:36 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 11, 2011 23:09:30 GMT -5
;D Thanks Sherry, I was wondering where you were hiding all those great health articles  |
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on May 11, 2011 23:10:45 GMT -5
They're MINE!!! All MINE!!!!!!  |
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on May 11, 2011 23:22:35 GMT -5
;D ;D ;D oh that ninja smiley is priceless!!
|
|
|
|
Post by katt on May 12, 2011 4:40:18 GMT -5
haha Choking a bit when eating is normal, but it is very good to have the ferret Heimlich as a back up in the case of a serious episode. Also sometimes they get bones or meat stuck in their teeth which will cause them to gag. So before you do anything else, run a finger along their gums/teeth as this can help dislodge, or at least locate any stuck bits.
|
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on May 12, 2011 9:41:33 GMT -5
And to make you aware- if they are able to cough, they are NOT choking. Which is why a vet I spoke to advised me to do this only if they were either unconscious, or obviously unable to take in any air.
|
|
I love when stories have happy endings! 
