From: "William Clark" To: Subject: Choking ferret Date: Thursday, November 07, 2002 10:34 AM BUT HOW DO YOU HEIMLICH A FERRET ? I grasp him by the scruff of the neck and cradled him in the crook of my left arm with his head turned to the side. With my right hand I located his breastbone I made a fist with my thumb extended and placed my thumb approx. 2" below his breastbone (by using a closed fist and only applying my thumb I was ensured that I would not squeeze him) and thrust upward toward the diaphragm. I did this 5 or 6 times with increasing pressure and finally out popped a piece of whole dry food. BTW it was Iams kitten food. He immediately took a deep breath and regained consciousness in about 1 minute. He was then quickly rushed to the animal clinic and examined and given a clean bill of health. We did put him on antibiotics for 7 days just in case he aspirated a small piece of food. I realize that this procedure could have resulted in severe internal injuries but the alternative was definitely a dead ferret. Zetafax Technical Support Equisys, Inc. 3010 Royal Blvd S. Suite 180 Alpharetta, GA 30022 Phone: 678-942-7250 Fax: 770-442-5789 support@usa.equisys.com http://www.usa.equisys.com/ wkc