Urgent Care :: Choking!!!! URGENT!!!!

[cprcheetah]

I fed Zeke some cucumber as it's one of his favorites, he took a bite that was WAY too big and is now choking/gagging on it. What do I do?????????????


Okay looks like he got it out, but for future reference what do I do if he does actually need help?

[steve]

Sorry to hear that! Their throats are pretty flexible but we know they tend to overdo it. I do recall instances of people mentioning that their turts will spit it out or eventually swallow it.

I'm not sure if there are references out there on what to do, maybe someone knows of one. If there ever was a situation that the turtle would be choking on something inedible and unable to get it out, I'd go to the nearest reptile vet (after I call to let them know I was going there and the situation), at least they might have the equipment to remove it. If that wasn't possible, then, I would try to get it out myself.

[Starchick]

Napoleon's done that a few times, where he took a chunk so big that he couldn't open his mouth any more to let go of it. Is that what happened to Zeke? I wouldn't know what to do if it were down in his throat, but the times it's happened to him I was able to use a toothpick to break up what was in his mouth at least enough that he could let go. But knowing that this can happen, it's better to just try to prevent it by cutting the food small.

[marisa]

You could lessen the chances of this happening by cutting pieces of whatever you're feeding your turtle into smaller easily eatable ones, especially if your turtle is small.