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The Process of Natural Death
T
he process of natural death
is different for every animal, though some similarity does exist.
Generally speaking, an animal nearing their final days will naturally
slow down. Their eyes may have a "distant" look. Your pet may
"forget" to eat or drink, as well as be "off" its normal
schedule. Toileting accidents can happen on rugs and abnormal places. As
the final hours move closer, most pets will lie down; stretch out,
usually in a comfortable, familiar place. This may be the time to move
your pet to linoleum surface or other area of your home where you can
easily move around the animal, and where it is easier for you, as the
owner, to maintain the animal as death approaches.
Your pet needs water, even
if she can no longer stand to drink. This is the time when liquids may
have to be administered by a dropper or possibly IV fluids. You will
want to have your pet laying on "wee-wee pads" (see resources), especially under the rear of your pet to catch bodily fluids
that the animal can no longer contain on his own.
Your pet may make audible
sounds, as well as experience quivering muscles that are essentially
involuntary movements, as are the sounds the animal may vocalize. These
signs are not necessarily expressions of pain, but rather physical
displays that the animal can not control.
Your pet's gums will become
increasingly pale. The animal's temperature will drop until cold. At
certain points, your pet may pant briefly. Breathing will become heavy,
then increasingly shallow. Your pet will urinate and defecate
involuntarily. Please know, not every death resembles the other. What
I've attempted to provide here is a general description to prepare the
owner for what is ahead, covering common stages that animals typically
experience as part of the final passage.
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