Choking

[groovychic]

Lastnight my bf and I were watching Herbie run around in his cage (his nightly circus act). He started eating and all of a sudden started making these aweful screeching noises, we could tell he was in pain and distress :cry: He was choking on a piece of kibble! I could see that it was lodged in his mouth vertically and he couldn't swallow. He was trying to cough it up and finally did after the 3rd try. I felt so bad for him. We did take out the rest of that kind of food (chicken soup for the cat lovers soul). I don't know if it was just a hard piece (after coughing it up it was still in one solid piece), if he swallowed wrong, etc. All of the other food I feed him seems to be just as hard as the onee he choked on. Do I switch to a diff food? Do I try feeding it to him again? (he's been on csftsls for a few months now as well as Kahlua). They are also eating Royal Canine Slim, and Pro Plan Senior cat chicken and rice. I also thought of maybe breaking up the pieces for him (but that's alot of work). Are there any types of kibble that might be a little bit softer? He seems to be eating fine now, I'm just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on what to do.

[yourmine]

All animals are prone to choking every now and then. Should this ever happen again, take him in both of your hands laying flat on his back or tummy. Straighten your arms over your head and swing him down between your legs quickly. Repeat until the food comes out.

[paris26]

When I first added Chicken Soup to my mix, I was paranoid because those "X's" seemed so big for a hedgie's mouth. Then I watched what they did to meal worms and didn't worry as much :lol: I use a rolling pin to break up my kibble until I felt comfortable. Now with my piggies who love to eat, I sprinkle their kibble in the playpen when it's dinner time so they have to eat it one piece at a time.
I'm sure this was just a freak that happened

[Nancy]

I have a couple of them that choke fairly often. I just leave them be, watch and talk quietly to whoever it is. Sometimes interfering can make them panic even more. As long as he is able to breathe he is ok. Usually they will start to drool which seems to help loosen it. Of course if he stops breathing, starts clawing at his face or is in obvious severe distress than you need to step in and help.

I think usually it is just a case of them not chewing enough or eating too quickly. If it happens often then a vet visit will rule out any teeth problems or tumours that might be causing the problem. :)

[groovychic]

I have a couple of them that choke fairly often. I just leave them be, watch and talk quietly to whoever it is. Sometimes interfering can make them panic even more. As long as he is able to breathe he is ok. Usually they will start to drool which seems to help loosen it. Of course if he stops breathing, starts clawing at his face or is in obvious severe distress than you need to step in and help.

I think usually it is just a case of them not chewing enough or eating too quickly. If it happens often then a vet visit will rule out any teeth problems or tumours that might be causing the problem. :)


Yeah I figured if I interfered it would make him panic and probably not help the situation. Pretty scary though, guess I just have to keep an eye on him. I think you are right about him eating too fast or prob not chewing. We did notice that when he chews he does mostly use his teeth way in the back of his mouth. I am still thinking about maybe breaking the chicken soup into smaller pieces. Thanks for the suggestions!

[razzle]

I saw the title of the thread and panicked! I'm so glad Herbie is ok. Poor little thing! And poor you - yikes....I think I'd freak out!

I worry too sometimes about the CSFTCLS because it does look so big...and watching Razzle crunch on it, it looks like it takes a lot of effort. It might not hurt to break it up into smaller pieces (like in half). Put the food in a baggie and run a rolling pin over it (or hit it with a meat tenderizer a couple times just to break it up some). I like Paris' idea about sprinkling it around so only one piece at a time can be eaten.

I'm so glad Herbie is ok!!!!

[Pringlesmom]

What a scary thing!! I am so happy things are ok. What a good suggestion about swinging them through your legs.

[hedgie girls]

I am glad Herbie is okay. I know I would have panicked. I will have to remember to swing them through my legs if my hedgies ever choke.
Take care
Cyndy

[hemi_mygirl]

All animals are prone to choking every now and then. Should this ever happen again, take him in both of your hands laying flat on his back or tummy. Straighten your arms over your head and swing him down between your legs quickly. Repeat until the food comes out.

The bolded statement confused me a bit...maybe I'm just having a not-so-smart moment, but do you mean holding the hedgie on his back or stomach? What if s/he won't lay flat? Just holding them securely as you swing them will work fine, right?

[Titanium]

Your swinging them so that their head is moving faster than their body, so the kibble will become dislodged. If their head isn't pointing away from you, I don't know if it would work. Usually, though, if a hedgie is choking, he would lie flat so that wouldn't be a roblem. I've never had to deal with this (luckily!) so I don't know.