How do I know if my dog is dying? There are 26 signs you can look for.
Molly Jacobson discusses how to recognize the signs that your beloved dog might be in the last months, weeks, or days of their life.
Articles about the end of life:
https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/hospice-and-end-of-life/signs-your-dog-is-dying/
https://www.dogcancer.com/perspectives/hospice-and-end-of-life/warning-signs-dog-is-dying/
Signs Often Seen Starting in the Last Months of Life:
1. Weight Loss, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFPUYZtPJ_8
2. Loss of Appetite, see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VWVfBhf4gD0A, and: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/side-effects/dog-not-eating/
3. Dehydration is often caused by diarrhea, urinary incontinence, and vomiting, see below.
4. Diarrhea, see: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/side-effects/diarrhea-in-dogs/ and: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzYzZwlA4xo
5. Urinary Incontinence, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIJkyODHyi0 and: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/hospice-and-end-of-life/bed-sores-on-dogs/
6. Vomiting, see: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/side-effects/vomiting-in-dogs/ and: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2b74r09eDQ
7. Dimmed or Dull Eyes see Urinary Incontinence
8. Looking Unkempt see Urinary Incontinence
Signs Often Seen in the Last Weeks of a Dog’s Life:
9. Pain, see: https://www.dogcancer.com/perspectives/drugs/pain-management-plus-natural-pain-relief-for-dogs/ and: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvA7W9XlciM
10. Restlessness see videos and articles under pain
11. Behavioral Changes, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4V1nehuGiU&t=2057s and articles under pain
12. Changes in Sleep Patterns, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jBititnn7U0
13. Breathing Problems, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y28IQXhAtXk
14. Confusion see articles on lethargy and depression
15. Depression, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4V1nehuGiU and: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7dj7ajAPhL0
16. Wanting to Be Outside, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ff4zmrzS0Mk
Signs Often Seen in the Last Days:
17. Lethargy, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J5Bh1wIp5bY and: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/side-effects/lethargy-in-dogs/
18. Lack of Interest see articles on lethargy and depression, wanting to be outside.
19. Lack of Coordination see articles on lethargy and depression.
20. Twitching see articles on lethargy and depression.
21. Weakness see articles on lethargy and depression.
22. Inability to Control Bowel Movements, see: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/side-effects/blood-in-dog-stool/ and urinary incontinence and diarrhea above.
23. No Eating or Drinking: See the article on the loss of appetite above.
24. Seizures: see article on brain tumors: https://www.dogcancer.com/articles/types-of-dog-cancer/brain-tumors-in-dogs/
25. A Puffy Appearance, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YUXM_jMgkdI
26. Body Odor, see: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y28IQXhAtXk
Remember: none of these signs mean your dog is dying ... ask your veterinarian for help with your dog’s medical issues ASAP.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
01:30 Stages of Dying
02:00 1-3 Months
02:25 Weight Loss
02:45 Loss of Appetite
03:29 Dehydration
04:00 Diarrhea
04:30 Urinary Incontinence
04:45 Vomiting
05:17 Dimmed or Dull Eyes
05:36 Looking Unkempt
06:32 1-3 Weeks
07:01 Pain
07:31 Restlessness
07:54 Behavioral Changes
08:12 Changes in Sleep Patterns
08:13 Breathing Problems
08:41 Confusion
09:00 Depression
09:27 Wanting to Be Outside
10:17 Last Days
10:45 Lethargy
11:15 Lack of Interest
11:30 Lack of Coordination
12:00 Twitching
12:10 Weakness
12:30 Inability to Control Bowel Movements
13:00 No Eating or Drinking
13:45 Seizures
14:15 Puffy Appearance
14:45 Body Odor
14:48 Each dog and death is unique
15:34 Outro
16:08 Medical Disclaimer
--
Get to know Molly Jacobson: https://www.dogcancer.com/people/molly-jacobson/
