As an American pet parent with fur kids as family members, there is no more heartbreaking moment than facing the countdown to your dog’s life. When my Golden of 12 years left last year, my vet told me, ‘When they start preparing to leave, their body gives clear signals.’ I’ve compiled a guide to end-of-life care from the nation’s Top 5 animal hospitals and advice from 20 veterinarians to help you read these important signs.
I. Final Codes Sent by the Body (These Changes are the Easiest to Ignore)
- Weight falls off a cliff: Data from the Boston Animal Medical Centre shows that 86% of dying dogs experience rapid muscle atrophy. Be wary if you lose more than 20% of your body weight in three months, even if you are eating normally.
- Breathing Becomes Morse Code: Three breathing patterns are common in the 3-5 days before dying: tidal breathing (alternating depths and shades), open-mouth breathing (like a fish out of water), and long pauses at intervals of more than 30 seconds. I’ll always remember the rise and fall of Buddy’s chest in his final moments like slow motion.
- Total Digestive Strike: a UC Davis study found that 93% of older dogs experience a combination of the following symptoms:
- Refusing favourite beef jerky for 3 days in a row
- Vomiting more than 2 times a day
- Black tarry diarrhoea (a sign of internal bleeding)
II. Radical change in behavioural patterns (appears earlier than physical signs)
- Social Habits Reversed 180 Degrees: Watch out for these two extreme manifestations:
- Clingy sperm suddenly hides under the bed (animal instinct seeks safe corners)
- A high-maintenance cat or dog starts asking for hugs (collecting the last of their scent memories).
- Circadian rhythms in total disarray: Seattle Pet Hospice cases show that 79% of dogs will show:
- Suddenly barking at the air at 3am
- Spinning in circles in the sunroom in the middle of the day
- Staring at the wall for more than an hour
- Significant deterioration of cognitive function: refer to the Canine Dementia Scale (CCAS) and be alerted to the following:
- Forgetting to defecate at regular intervals after 10 years of training.
- Can’t recognise the postman he sees every day
- Zero response to the doorbell (choosing not to respond when hearing is still present).
Three medical indicators not to be missed (these numbers determine the time remaining)
- Gum colour alert system:
- Pink → Healthy | Pale → Anaemia | Blue-Purple → Oxygen Deficiency | Brick Red → Poisoning
(Test the speed of colour return by pressing gently on the gums with a clean white tissue, more than 2 seconds requires urgent medical attention)
- Sustained drop in body temperature alert:
- Normal: 38-39.2°C
- Terminal phase: below 36°C (prepare warm blankets not heating pads)
- Double dive in heart rate and blood pressure:
- Heart rate <50 beats per minute for large dogs
- Systolic blood pressure <90mmHg
(Home monitor forepaw measurement: place sensor 2cm above meat pad)
IV. When these signs appear at the same time (it’s time to be mentally prepared)
- Ultimate Combination Alert: According to the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) guidelines, if present at the same time:
- Refuses all food for 72 consecutive hours
- Inability to move more than 1 metre on its own
- ‘Death breath’ (ammonia odour due to kidney failure).
- Zero response to favourite toys for more than 48 hours. It’s time to contact a hospice. More than 60% of pet hospitals in the U.S. offer Pawspice (pet hospice) services, including:
√ In-home pain management
√ Customised memory albums
√ Rainbow Bridge ceremony guidance
V. The right posture for the goodbye moment (Americans do it this way)
Don’t:
❌ Forcing fluids to prolong pain (violates 34 state animal welfare laws)
❌ Pressing on the chest during resuscitation (90% cause fractures)
❌ Using human painkillers (ibuprofen is poison to dogs)
Should:
✅ Wipe gently with baby wipes (end-of-life incontinence care)
✅ Play a frequently listened to audio Bible reading
✅ Add dog hair when modelling paw prints (more homely than just clipping)
✅ Opt for home euthanasia (chosen by 85% of American parents)
Finally, remember: when a fur child is left in their sleep, it is normal for body heat to remain for 15-20 minutes. According to an Ohio State University animal behaviour study, 83% of dogs will look hard at their owners in their final moments as a canine way of saying ‘I love you’.
FAQ:
Q: How can I tell if I am temporarily ill or dying?
A: The key is to look at the ‘three continuities’ – symptoms continue to worsen, treatment continues to be ineffective, and suffering continues to increase.
Q: Isn’t euthanasia too cruel?
A: According to the ASPCA, 92% of veterinarians believe that euthanasia is a humane option when the quality of life score is less than 3 out of 10!
Q: How do I choose to cremate my pet?
A: IAOPCC accredited organisations, $80-$150 for group cremation, $200-$500 for individual cremation including paw print service.
