CHOKING - PLEASE READ

Hi everyone,

Sorry for the shouty capitals on my first post but this is desperately important for everyone to read.

Back in January we tragically lost our 3 year old Staffie after she choked on Pedigree Gravy Bones. Storm was a fantastic little girl and she is still sorely missed and it has taken this long for me to actually be able to write about what happened to her.

I had collected her from my mums (who looked after her while I was at work) and got her home to my partner, being the loving girl that she was she was incredibly excited to be home and we grabbed her a couple of treats from the cupboard. Normally she would settle at the thought of a treat and pause from rushing around the place, tragically on this occasion she tried to continue running and playing with the treat in her mouth. She started making noises like she was trying to be sick, it wasn't few a few seconds until we realised she was choking, I have to admit at this point that I didn't really know what to do, and tried slapping her on the back and even tried sticking my fingers down her throat to clear the blockage and the heimlich maneuver, unfortunately this wasn't enough and as she tried to be sick she couldn't clear the blockage and fell into unconciousness. At this point we got her in the car and got her to the vet within a couple of minutes but unfortunately there was nothing they could do to save our gorgeous little girl.

I know the chances of this happening to you are incredibly slim but, unfortunately as shown, it can happen and I encourage every single person that reads this to please learn what to do in this situation. If you are unsure what to do please read the following site;

http://www.wikihow.com/Save-a-Choking-Dog

I wouldn't wish what we went through on anybody but if posting this helps save just one dog then I feel we would have done Storm proud.

After having almost 3 wonderful years with Storm since getting her from a rescue centre we have since rescued another little Staffie pup, however I don' think the poor thing understands the look of sheer terror and panic we get everytime she coughs or splutters.

Hello.

What a terrible thing to happen so very very sad. So sorry for your loss of Storm.
Thank you very much for posting, I had no idea how to react in such a situation.
Well done on rescuing another Staffie.

OMG......I have tears running down my cheeks after reading your story. What a horrible and frightning situation to be in, and to feel so helpless.
Thoughts are with you for your tragic loss. No doubt she will always have a very special place in your heart.
Great to hear you have a new rescue Staffy in your life.
Would love to see some photos ( both of your girl Storm, and the new addition )

I just remove the object gently with my hand.Have not had to do it with Tilly so far tho thankfully.

So sad, Im sorry for your loss.

...what a frightening and sad experience. Sending you a big hug and well done on giving another precious staffy a home. X

Hi, welcome to the forum.

What a terrible experience for you to have to go through. You must have been frantic and so upset.

Thank you for the link, it could well prove useful to someone in the future.

Hiya and welcome. Thank you for sharing such a tragic story, but you right if it helps just one dog then thats amazing. I for one wouldn't know what to do so thank you for the link x

Thank you all for your kind words. I can't even begin to describe how we felt when it happened, even now we can still hardly believe what happened - if it had been something she shouldn't have had like a chicken bone then I could understand it more but to be killed by a dog biscuit is just stupid.

As much as its a horrible situation, some good has come of it, we've now got another gorgeous little girl, Winnie, who has a stunning temperament and couldn't be move loving and soppy if she tried. We still miss Storm dearly but am so glad to be able to give Winnie her second chance.

I'll introduce both of them properly in the relevant forums shortly and provide some pics.

In reply to the post from Staffy, I would have loved to have just pulled the object out of Storms mouth but it was lodged way down in her windpipe, afterwards the vet said that he couldn't even get a probe down their and as it was so deep, even a tracheostomy wouldn't have been able to save her. Although the thought of just pulling out the object is nice and simple, please at least read the advice I have provided, its better to have read it and not need it than be stuck not knowing what to do should the worse happen.

Really loking forward to both your babies pics. Storms running free, and your story and advice is a massive eye opener and one that should be read by all. Winnie, well lets see her then

I'll get proper posts up about them both later, but for now heres a quick preview. Sorm is the brindle/white and Winnie is the red/white...





As you can probably see, Winnie looks like she's had a tough little life, she's got a few nicks in her ears and quite a few small scars, the big scar on her head was caused by a rottie at the rescue centre when we went to see her (think the rottie was a little jealous but definetely shot himself in the foot for a chance of coming home with us).

Storm, well, stunning and such a tragic accident, hope this post relly helps people. Run free x x.

Aww Winnie with her scars, how cute. She deserves the amzing home you have given. Thanks for the preview

As much as she had a short life, Storm had a very happy one while she was with us - Don't think there was ever a day where she didn't have a smile on her face and a frantically wagging tail.

I'd love to know what Winnie has been through in the past but all that matters now is that she's with us and gets more love than any dog could ever dream of.

Both very lucky girlies

OMG what a tragic and very sad story. Thankyou for sharing, it couldn't have been an easy task. Thanks also for taking the time to share the important information on what to do should it ever happen to any of us, fingers crossed it wont mind!

My 3rd baby at about 8 months of age choked on some home made pizza one day whilst I was there. It was a true choke as it was silent, thank god I saw her do it else I'd have never known due to the silence. A very distressing experience, although I never realised until afterwards how lucky we had been.

My thoughts are with you and I'm sure Winnie will be a blessing to your family :0)

Storm was a beautiful girl, and I'm sure you were so proud of her. Run free little Storm and wait by the Rainbow Bridge.

Winnie looks a cute character, very cheerful!

They are both lovely dogs and Winnie sure has landed on her feet getting such a great and caring owner. x

2 beautiful doggies ! RIP Storm

vanessa wrote:
2 beautiful doggies ! RIP Storm

Ditto

So sad sorry to hear that! Thanks for sharing!
and congrats on the new rescue! Beautiful dogs! RIP Storm.