400 The Management and Diseases of the Dog. 



CHOKING. 



Dogs very frequently get choked, especially ravenous 

 feeders. A portion of bone or solid matter, too large, or 

 from its shape impossible to be passed down the oesophagus, 

 becomes fixed, it may be in the upper portion of the throat, 

 the pharynx, or some distance down the tube. 



Treatment. — If the obstruction is not deeply lodged, and 

 can be seen or felt, an attempt should be made to extract it 



Fig. 39. 

 throat forceps. 



with forceps. An ingenious instrument for this purpose is 

 sold by Arnold and Sons, London. (See Fig. 39.) 



When, however, the substance is too low for extraction 

 a whalebone probe, having a portion of sponge fastened on 

 the end and dipped in oil, may be gently passed down to 

 the obstruction and then steadily pushed onwards. Before, 

 however, attempting this measure, it is advisable to mani- 

 pulate externally with the fingers, as the substance may be 

 of such a nature that external pressure may break it down 

 and facilitate its onward passage. Pins, needles, and other 

 sharp substances may be removed by moving the probe 

 about, rotating it, and then withdrawing it. 



Considerable irritation often ensues after choking, and 

 when the lining membrane of the oesophagus has been 

 lacerated, a great degree of inflammatory action is sure to 

 follow ; to subdue both, and act as local sedative, warm 

 bread and milk and broths should for some days afterwards 

 form the sole diet of the animal. 



