One of the most horrible experiences of a dog owner who persists in tying up their dog is finding it dead! It takes 3-5 minutes for a dog to strangle itself!
Be especially on the lookout for puppies! They can get into serious trouble in the blink of an eye. NEVER leave them unsupervised. Put them in a cage or playpen if you can’t supervise their activities.
It is a fact when a leashed dog wraps itself around something so tightly that it panics. In the process of trying to release the pressure, they can make things worse and strangle. They cut off the oxygen first. Your gums and tongue turn blue. Brain damage begins. Then they are unconscious. The heart stops beating. Death follows.
The process is unbearable … the animal panics. It’s awful!
If you are lucky enough to be there in time to help, take the pressure off immediately! Don’t waste time trying to untangle it, CUT the line or neck! Gently spread your neck out as much as possible to help open the airway. If you are not breathing and you are unconscious, pull your tongue forward and hold it if necessary. You don’t want it to slide back and block the airway.
You may need to perform artificial respiration and canine CPR, while transporting your pet to the nearest vet! Don’t waste a second … take the dog to the nearest vet!
Even if you get to your pet in time to save it, it can develop pulmonary edema minutes to hours after the incident. Pulmonary edema is the accumulation of fluid in the lungs. Even if you are successful in your immediate efforts, your dog can vacuum hours after the incident. It is imperative to keep them under constant supervision for the next 12 hours.
Immediate veterinary attention is needed if you observe:
Cough
The gums and tongue are blue.
Difficulty breathing
Lethargy
Disorientation
Situations that lead to strangulation:
Tied to a tree or pole: They can strangle themselves by simply wrapping themselves around an object such as a tree or pole, or trying to jump a fence or dig under it and get stuck.
· Tied up in a car: they can strangle themselves when trying to jump out of a window, or wrap themselves or hang from a seat. Take your dog off the leash as soon as you put him in the car!
Tied up in the back of a truck: They can strangle, jump, or fall out of the back of a truck. Place your dog in a crate if he must ride in the back of a truck.
Wires to curtains or blinds: They can be strangled by becoming entangled in the wires. Raise and secure the cables so that they are out of the animal’s reach.
Collars – Make sure your dog’s collar is not too tight. Make sure they can get out of it in an emergency. Many dog owners never think to check their dog’s collar … be especially careful with puppies … they grow fast. A necklace that fit last week, it may be strangling you today!
Leash – They can be strangled by a leash that has been wrapped around an object. Take off the strap. Do not allow your dog to run freely unsupervised while on a leash.
Fence: They can strangle themselves if they get caught in a hole in a fence, climbing, or trying to dig under a fence. Check your fences for “escape” routes. NEVER tie your dog near a fence.
If you must tie up your dog, be there to supervise it. If you have to leave the area, take your dog with you!
Bottom line: in minutes, you can lose your best friend. Don’t tie up your dog! Remove the strap as soon as possible. Adjust their necks as they grow. Wrap them in vehicles.
Supervise, supervise and supervise your pet at all times!