Put your Afghan on its right side. PUT the heel of your hand on the ribcage just behind the elbow. The Afghan heart is low in the chest, right next to the edge. Put your other hand on top of the first hand. (You can see Brian's fingers actually curve around the edge of Punkin's chest). Firmly press on the ribcage in quick, smooth movements. Depending on the size of your Afghan press down maybe half the distance to the ground using both hands. (For practice, lay your Afghan on its side and feel for the heartbeat, just so you know where it is in an emergency.) The compression should last no longer than 1/2 second. The smaller the Afgahn, the less distance of compression and less force are needed. You may only need one hand. These dogs, even full grown, are only the size of a small child afterall. At all times try not to damage the ribcage. Repeat this procedure a total of 10 times. Then, if your Afghan is not breathing, give rescue breaths as described above. Alternate between the chest compressions (10 in a row), and one breath into the Afghan's nose.
Heimlich Maneuver
Only perform the Heimlich Maneuver if you could not remove the object from your Afghan's airway. Turn her upside down, with her back against your chest. If she's large and/or heavy, you may need someone to help you hold her. Wrap your arms around her, just below the rib cage (since you're holding her upside down, it's above the rib cage, in the abdomen). Grasp your fist with your other hand. Using both arms, give five (5) sharp thrusts to the abdomen. (This is kindof tricky because you are trying to force the object out by expelling air out of the lungs, yet you are thrusting on the abdomen.) The thrusts should feel like quick bear hugs. Perform all five as if each one is the one that will force the object from her airway. After the five thrusts, check her mouth and airway for the object. If you see it, remove it and give two more mouth-to-nose ventilations. If the breaths still do not go in, or feel restricted, start over.
