Dog Head Entrapment (Fence/Rails)
SEPpics (sxc.hu)
Dogs can get their heads stuck easily because the back of their head is wider than the front. Head entrapment is usually not a medical emergency unless your pet has trouble breathing. However your dog can become frantic and hysterical from being stuck and injure themselves further.
Symptoms:
Scrapes
Swelling
Cuts
Steps:
- Calm your dog down to prevent him from struggling further
- Place yourself behind the dog and push him closer to the object that he’s trapped in to avoid him backing up further and strangling himself
- You may want to muzzle him to prevent him from biting you while you try to free him
- Grease the fur on his neck and the top of his head with KY Jelly or Petroleum Jelly
- While someone holds his from the back you should gently take the dogs muzzle and turn his head sideways and slide him through the fence or rails
Warnings:
Make sure that you muzzle your dog as he may try to bite you when you have to push him through the fence or rails
Tips:
It helps if someone stays behind him the entire time to prevent him from backing up while you try to free him
A dog’s head is narrower from top to bottom than side to side