If you’ve ever witnessed your dog choking, you know how terrifying and traumatizing it can be. Learning the proper techniques to help your pup in a choking event can be the difference between life and death.
The external extraction technique (XXT) is a safe, effective, and non-invasive treatment for choking dogs, but we’re willing to bet you’ve never heard of it. If you’re serious about learning everything you can to save your pup’s life in a choking event, keep reading. We’re going to answer all your questions, including “What is the XXT maneuver?” and “When is XXT recommended?”
How Does It Work?
Let’s take a closer look at the steps you need to follow to perform XXT successfully. We also recommend checking out the videos on YouTube of veterinarians performing this procedure, especially if you’re a visual learner.
The Steps on Performing XXT: Procedure One
1. Assume the Proper Starting Position
Place the choking dog on their back to perform the external extraction technique. Their neck and airway should be straight and parallel to the floor. Depending on the dog’s breed and size, you may have to straddle their ribcage but don’t put too much pressure on them. A second person can be helpful if someone is nearby, as they can help hold the pup’s back limbs.
2. Identify Body Landmarks
From this overhead position, you should be able to identify the location of the trachea and the object that’s lodged inside of it. You may even feel the ball in your dog’s throat.
3. Position Fingers
Form an open diamond shape with your hands and place them on both sides of your dog’s trachea below the lodged object. There should be a slight gap between your thumbs. Your middle fingers should push into the “V” notch of your dog’s mouth to help open their jaw.
4. Dislodge the Object
Using your thumbs, lock out your arms and push the ball down and up toward the mouth in a J-stroke motion. This pressure, if applied to the right spot, should then eject the obstruction from the mouth.
5. Rescue Breaths
If your dog doesn’t start breathing when the object is dislodged, provide two mouth-to-snout rescue breaths. It’s essential to keep your dog’s neck straight so there’s a clear pathway from their nose to their lungs. Close their mouth and blow twice into their nose.
6. Begin CPR
If your dog is still not responding after the rescue breaths, begin CPR immediately. Check our blog for step-by-step instructions here.
7. Seek Veterinary Care
Even if you manage to save your dog from choking, you should still take them to your veterinarian for examination. is particularly important if you have performed CPR, as the dog needs to be checked for chest trauma. The sentence is missing. Could you please provide the sentence you would like me to rewrite? I’m sorry, but I need more context in order to provide a suitable rewrite. Can you please provide the original sentence or phrase for me to work with?