80.56% survey participants checked choking as being an emergency.
Ok, I concede this sounds quite weird and more like a trick question than something that could be an emergency situation. Surely this sounds harmless enough?
Not so fast.
Head pressing indicates damage to the nervous system. The potential causes you're looking at are damage to the forebrain and thalamus, brain inflammation, stroke, brain tumor, an infection of the nervous system, toxins, liver shunt, stroke or acute head trauma.
Does that change your mind about whether or not head pressing is an emergency?
Accompanying symptoms can include issues with balance, disorientation, vision problems and seizures.
Pressing head into corners or against objects should be treated as an emergency.
Related articles:
Dog Medical Emergencies Survey
Dog Medical Emergencies Survey Results
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Is Profuse Vomiting an Emergency?
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Is Inability to Stand an Emergency?
Is Inability to Urinate an Emergency?
Are Cuts and Abrasions an Emergency?
Is Bleeding an Emergency?
Is Blood in Vomit an Emergency?
Is Fresh Blood in Stool an Emergency?
Is Black, Tarry Stool an Emergency?
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Is Choking an Emergency?
Do you know what your dog is telling you about their health?
Learn how to detect and interpret the signs of a potential problem.
An award-winning guide to better understanding what your dog is telling you about their health, Symptoms to Watch for in Your Dog, is available in paperback and Kindle. Each chapter includes notes on when it is an emergency.







