Check to see if your animal is choking on a foreign object. If so, be careful not to get bitten, or push the object further down the throat. If the animal can still pass some breath, it is best to take it to a veterinarian immediately, so the object can be removed under sedation with the proper instrumentation. If the animal cannot pass any air, you can try to remove or dislodge the object carefully. If possible, use a second person to hold the mouth open while the first person attempts to remove the object. Pliers or tweezers may be used to grasp the object if the animal is calm and the object is visible in the back of the throat. If the object is not visible or cannot be dislodged, you may also use quick chest compressions by standing behind the animal and balling the fists under the sternum and use gentle but firm upward thrusts to force air from the lungs to dislodge the object. Even if you are able to dislodge the object yourself, always seek veterinary care after the incident to make sure there are no complications.