The dog was captured on dramatic video choking before its owner jumped in and performed the Heimlich maneuver.
CCTV footage shows a woman in Bangkok, Thailand, whose French bulldog began choking while she was cooking in her kitchen. (See the video at the beginning of this article.)
After the woman noticed her pet had fallen to the ground, face up and shaking, she checked inside its mouth before performing the Heimlich maneuver.
South Carolina veterinarian rescues German shepherd after nearly choking on toy in dramatic moment caught on camera
The owner appears to have saved the dog’s life after part of the apple was spat out of its mouth.
Fox News Digital spoke with Portland, Oregon veterinarian Dr. Nell Ostermeyer about the incident and got advice on what to do if other pets find themselves in a similar situation.
A woman was cooking in the kitchen when her dog began choking on a piece of apple that had fallen on the floor. (Surveillance camera)
Ostermeyer said the first thing to do is make sure the dog is just choking and not actually having a seizure, as the two conditions can be mistaken.
Dog’s unexpected reaction to owner’s fake choking: ‘certified dogger’
“First, make sure your dog isn’t choking,” she said.
“It is clear [dog’s] If the collar gets caught on anything, cut or remove the collar immediately.”
Ostermeyer said it’s possible the dog in the video had a seizure when it had a foreign object in its mouth, but noted that “it’s hard to say for sure without asking more questions.”
A shocking video has been captured on camera showing a dog lying on its back and choking on an apple. (Surveillance camera)
Doctors told Fox News Digital that if your pet’s lips, tongue or skin turn blue, it means the animal is choking on something.
“Most of the time, dogs will cough to dislodge the object, but if their face is blue you can try the Heimlich maneuver,” she recommended.
According to the National Library of Medicine, the Heimlich maneuver is defined as “a first aid technique used to treat upper airway obstruction caused by a foreign body.”
Puppy Day: Preparing for your puppy and what to do when your puppy arrives
Ostermeyer recommends taking your pet to the vet if possible, but says there are different ways to perform the Heimlich maneuver depending on the size of the dog.
The owner bent down to help the animal by performing the Heimlich maneuver. (Surveillance camera)
She said that with medium to large dogs, while in a standing position, the operator should use their fist and thumb to thrust upward and forward on the pet’s abdomen three to five times.
Click here to sign up for our lifestyle newsletter
“For small dogs, pick them up and press upward and forward on their stomach with the palm of your hand three to five times,” she adds.
Ostermeyer recommended keeping an eye on objects in the home that may be on the floor, as well as pet toys, as these could be dangerous.
Click here to get the FOX News app
“Choking is when a dog [it’s] Chewing on balls, Kongs, and other chew toys. [Make] Make sure balls and other objects are the right size for your dog,” she said.
A pet owner performed the Heimlich maneuver after discovering his pet was choking on an apple. (Surveillance camera)
Doctors also recommended that owners always assess the situation before performing the Heimlich maneuver by asking themselves whether their pet is eating too quickly, chewing a bowl, or simply coughing.
For more lifestyle stories, visit www.foxnews/lifestyle
The NIH says the Heimlich maneuver “can save lives and is generally safe to perform.” [but] If this procedure is not performed correctly, serious damage to the abdominal cavity can occur.”
Ostermeyer is partnered with Chicago-based brand Figo Pet Insurance.
