Although death comes to each of us in its own way, death is a process and there are certain generalizations which we can make. So how do you know if your pet is really dead? Could it just be sick? Might it be playing opossum, hibernating. Of course, it is always best to check with your veteranarian, but in cases where one is unable, one can observe some of the following signs.
*As death draws near, your pet may act disorientated at loud noises or become awkward in its movements.
*It will begin to withdraw, losing interest in food, activities and seek quiet private places to lay for extended periods of time.
*Sleeping habits will increase more each day.
*Appetite will lesson gradually until one day your aging pet will stop eating completely, preferring only to drink.
*As blood pressure lowers, its heart will beat more faintly.
*Breathing will increase to a rhythmic rapid rate of panting, coming and going intermixed with periods where breathing may stop altogether for short spells.
*The eyes may become tearing and no longer noticeably focus in any particular direction.
*At some point, your pet may become unresponsive or so weak from loss of weight that it becomes unable to awaken.
Because you want to be absolutely sure, you can test for death with the following checks:
*Cessation of breathing – No sign of respiration, one may hold a small mirror to the nostrils for this check.
*Muscle Relaxation – early on and later in the decay process, an animals limbs can become completely limp without reflexive movement.
* Check Pulse – One can feel by hand, listen by placing your ear over your pets belly, or by using a stethoscope to check for a heart beat.
*If there is no breath, pulse, or eye movement, it is likely safe to assume that your pet is no longer alive.
Some or all of these may be present:
*Temperature Change – Body will cool to room temperature.
*Rigor Mortis – after some 3 - 6 hrs, the body becomes still and ridged. This rigidity loosens after several hours depending on the size of the animal and or any medications.
*Eyes will cloud, lose luster, and generally flatten.
*Color changes and or Dehydration to visible skin of eyes, nose, fleshy pads of the paws.
*Excessive Odor, vomit, and loosening of the skin and fur.
*Gases - Swelling of the belly. (In the case of a fish, floating belly up in a tank is a sign of death. When there are other fish in the tank, it is important to remove the deceased from the tank immediately.)
*Increased moisture in the tissues.
*Maggots – fly eggs hatch in the form of small worms that feed on the remains of a dead animal.
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