Choking can be life threatening for your cat. The harder a choking cat tries to breathe, the more panicky he or she can become. A cat owner's goal is to open the airway without being bitten. If you are uncertain whether your cat is choking, some signs to look for include the cat pawing at his or her mouth, a pale or blue cat tongue, obvious distress, and unconsciousness.
Sit under a good light source and gently open your cat’s mouth. A good look may reveal the cause of the problem. It is possible to remove some foreign bodies using tweezers. Others will require the cat to be under general anesthesia-which requires a trip to the veterinarian. Foreign bodies left in place for a day or longer may cause infection. A broad-spectrum antibiotic is recommended for one week. Sandrine Alamaison
