Even after death, our love for our beloved animal does not die. Unfortunately, death, including for dogs, is a reality that must be faced. In these last days of your loyal best friend's life, recognizing the signs that he is about to die will give you and your family enough time to prepare for a quiet, peaceful and comfortable feeling and departure for your dog. See Step 1 below to ensure that your dog leaves with as little pain as possible.
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Part 1 of 3: Recognizing Fatal Signs
Step 1. Watch for respiratory symptoms
Near death, in the last few hours or days, you will notice that the dog breathes shorter and longer at intervals between each pull. The normal breathing rate in a relaxed state is 22 breaths per minute, and this will decrease to only 10 breaths per minute.
- Just before death, the dog will exhale deeply, and like a balloon, you can feel it deflate as its lungs stop functioning.
- The dog's heart rate will decrease from a normal speed of 100-130 beats per minute, to 60-80 beats per minute, with a very weak beat.
- In the final hours, you will notice your dog is breathing shallowly, and not moving anymore. Most of the time, he'll just be lying in a dark, hidden corner of your house.
Step 2. Recognize the signs of digestion
If your dog is nearing death, he will show a very noticeable loss of appetite. He barely wanted to eat or drink water at all. Nearing death, his organs (such as the liver and kidneys) slowly stop functioning, so that his digestive function stops.
- You will also notice that his mouth is dry and not watery, due to dehydration.
- Maybe she'll throw up too, and usually her vomit contains no food and is just a yellowish or greenish-colored foam or acid, due to bile. It also occurs due to loss of appetite.
Step 3. Watch the muscles work
Seizures or muscle pulls can occur when your dog is weakened by glucose loss. He may also lose his responsiveness to pain and lose his reflexes.
- When your dog tries to stand or walk, you will notice his coordination deteriorates and he walks very unsteadily, he may not even be able to walk at all. Coma or loss of consciousness will also occur shortly before death.
- A dog that is near death and has suffered from a chronic or prolonged illness will appear to be deteriorating greatly. His body will appear to shrink and his muscles will atrophy.
Step 4. Pay attention to his bowel habits
One of the other signs that will appear is an uncontrolled bladder and bowel shaft. Near death, your dog will urinate and defecate uncontrollably, and this will happen to even the most disciplined and trained dogs.
- Urination will become uncontrollable and the volume will be greatly reduced.
- Towards death, the dog will issue diarrhea that smells very foul and sometimes contains blood.
- After death, the dog will pass urine and feces for the last time because the muscles lose control completely.
Step 5. Pay attention to the condition of the skin
The skin will become dry and will not return to its initial position/condition when pinched, due to dehydration. Mucous membranes such as the gums and lips will become pale (when pressed it will not return to its initial pink color even after a long time, even though the color of these gums will return after a second under normal conditions).
Part 2 of 3: Recognizing Old Age
Step 1. Watch your dog's movement speed
When his movements slow down but are still able to eat, drink, walk and stand on his own, and still react to your calls, these are signs of aging. Your dog is not suffering from any disease, he is just aging.
Your dog can still do the things he enjoys, like walking, being patted or petted, playing and hanging out with other dogs, but with reduced frequency and intensity
Step 2. Pay attention to the portion of the meal
Aging age can be seen when your dog begins to reduce his food portions, but still eats regularly. As they age, dogs (and humans too) generally expend fewer calories and require less food. You don't have to worry, it's just a normal cycle of life.
Step 3. Pay attention to the portion of sleep
Older dogs will sleep more and more, but will still be able to stand and move and eat after waking. Dogs that sleep and “don't” move or eat are seriously ill dogs. A dog that sleeps a lot and is still eating and socializing is just an aging dog.
Step 4. Watch his behavior around other dogs
Loss of interest in sexual activity, even with dogs of the opposite sex, is a sign of aging. Again, dogs are not that different from humans. As we age, we will feel satisfied with the little things in life.
Step 5. Pay attention to its appearance
There will be visible physical signs as the dog ages. Find the following:
- gray hair
- Parts of the body that are usually under pressure to become bald and hairless, such as elbows, pelvic area and buttocks
- Missing teeth
- The hair on the face looks very white
Step 6. If you see any of these signs in your dog, keep him comfortable
If your dog is aging, comfort him by:
- Put it in a warm and ventilated room
- Provide a bed so he doesn't feel sick
- Provide food and water without forcing him to eat/drink
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Interact with him every day, by talking to him and petting his head
Some dogs who are no longer able to move and can only lie down can still react to touch. Some will wag their tails weakly, and others may move their eyeballs (this is a testament to the dog's loyalty, that until the last moment of its life, it will always try to please its owner)
Part 3 of 3: "Putting" Your Dog to Sleep
Step 1. Know the right time to perform euthanasia
Euthanasia or “putting to sleep” your dog is defined in The Merck Veterinary Manual as “an easy and painless death, for an animal, it is the act of killing it in a humane way.” The three main objectives are:
- Freeing animals from their pain and suffering
- Reduces the pain, fear and anxiety the animal will experience before losing consciousness
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Help the animal experience a death without pain and struggle.
If euthanasia would provide an easier path to death, this might be a viable option. Will this ultimately be better for your dog?
Step 2. Think carefully and carefully about letting your dog go
When you are in a situation where you have to decide whether or not to euthanize, the welfare of this pet should be your main consideration. Get rid of all your attachments, feelings and pride. Don't force him to live longer just for your sake. It is more dignified and at the same time your duty as the owner, to provide a humane and pain-free way of death for your dog. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Can my dog's condition not be treated with any treatment anymore?
- Is my dog so sick and suffering that he can no longer respond to the medication or pain medication he is given?
- Has my dog suffered a severe and painful injury that will never heal, such as a leg amputation, severe head trauma and severe bleeding?
- Has this deadly disease reduced my dog's quality of life to the point where he can no longer eat, drink, move or defecate on his own?
- Does my dog have a birth defect that will result in a poor quality of life?
- Does my dog have a contagious disease such as rabies that can be a deadly risk to other animals and to humans?
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Will my dog still be able to do the things he loves while undergoing treatment for his illness?
Note: if the answer to the above questions is yes, then this is the perfect time to send your dog off
Step 3. In deciding to euthanize, know that the best person to help you is your veterinarian
Your veterinarian can understand your dog's condition through various tests and he or she is authorized to state whether the dog's condition is manageable or if he is dying and needs to be put to sleep.
However, in the end, the decision to grant euthanasia is in the hands of the owner. What conditions would make you start considering euthanasia?
Step 4. Know the various medical conditions that are considered appropriate to start considering euthanasia
In general, any condition that causes pain and suffering, acute or chronic, is a humane reason to put your dog to sleep. Here are some examples:
- Accident by vehicle
- Severe cases of demodicosis unresponsive to treatment
- Kidney or liver failure or malignant tumor in late stage
- Incurable infectious diseases that pose a threat to other animals as well as to humans (e.g., rabies)
- Severe behavioral problems, such as extreme aggression that persists even after behavioral therapy is given, making it a threat to other animals, humans and the environment
Step 5. Know the signs
If you see these signs in your dog, euthanasia is appropriate:
- Unable to eat, drink, stand, walk and lose interest and power to do these activities
- Just lying down and can't control his bowel behavior
- Has difficulty breathing and must be specially assisted to breathe and his body is not responding to emergency procedures and medications
- Signs of pain such as continuous howling or whining due to a terminal illness
- Unable to lift his head and just lying down
- Extremely cold temperature on his skin, which can be a sign that his organs are starting to stop functioning
- A very large tumor that is no longer possible to operate and has caused pain and an inability to move
- Mucous membranes like gums are gray and dehydrated
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Very weak and slow heart rate.
When you find these symptoms, it is recommended that you contact your veterinarian to help you assess the dog's condition. Your vet will provide professional advice that will help you make an informed decision
