Emergent canine airway management includes assuring and maintaining airway patency, preventing aspiration, and providing adequate oxygenation and ventilation.¹ Techniques to establish a patent airway include:

• Basic airway techniques (manual maneuvers such as head, neck, and body positioning).
• Advanced airway techniques [oro-/endotracheal intubation (OTI/ETI), needle and surgical cricothyrotomy (CCT) or tube tracheotomy (TT)].

OTI/ETI is the first line advanced airway management for MWDs that do not have a complete UAO. Surgical airways are considered as a last resort and should only be used when less invasive techniques are unavailable or fail to establish a patent airway and restore adequate oxygenation.