What should you do if a rat is choking? - briefly
Gently open the rat’s mouth and try to remove the obstruction with fine tweezers or a tiny suction device; if breathing does not resume instantly, take the animal to a veterinarian for emergency care.
What should you do if a rat is choking? - in detail
A rat that cannot breathe shows rapid, shallow breathing, gasping, or complete silence of breath. The mouth may be open, and the animal often makes weak squeaks or trembles. Immediate action is required because airway blockage can cause irreversible damage within minutes.
First, secure the rat gently but firmly to prevent injury. Hold it with the back against your palm, supporting the hindquarters with the other hand. Keep the head slightly elevated to reduce pressure on the throat.
Next, examine the oral cavity. Use a small, soft instrument such as a pair of tweezers or a blunt-ended syringe tip to look for visible foreign material. If an object is seen and can be grasped without pushing it deeper, remove it carefully. Do not attempt blind sweeps; a blind finger sweep can damage delicate tissues or embed the obstruction further.
If the blockage is not visible or cannot be extracted, perform a modified Heimlich maneuver adapted for small rodents. Place the rat on its back on a flat surface. Position a fingertip just behind the ribcage, near the sternum, and apply a quick, gentle upward thrust. Repeat up to three times, checking the mouth after each thrust for expelled material.
Should the rat remain unresponsive, initiate rescue breathing. With the mouth open, cover the nostrils using a fingertip and deliver a tiny puff of air (approximately 0.5 ml) using a calibrated syringe. Perform two breaths, then reassess for signs of airflow.
If the animal starts breathing again, keep it warm, quiet, and monitor for at least 15 minutes. If no improvement occurs after the above attempts, treat the situation as a medical emergency. Place the rat in a ventilated container, cover it with a clean cloth to retain body heat, and transport it to a veterinarian immediately. Bring any information about the suspected object and the steps already taken.
Prevention measures include providing appropriately sized chew toys, avoiding small objects in the cage, and supervising any feeding of fresh produce that could contain seeds or pits. Regular health checks help detect dental overgrowth, which can increase the risk of choking.