The dog dies abruptly. Sudden death of dogs and cats

When faced for the first time with the death of puppies that are absolutely healthy at first glance, any person experiences shock and begins to search for the truth, blaming himself, those around him, and even unknown attackers for what happened.

However, unfortunately, for veterinarians such phenomena do not seem unusual or rare. In this article we will try to understand the causes of sudden puppy death syndrome.

Causes of death of puppies

Some dog breeders have witnessed the death of entire litters. The culprit of such rapidly developing events may be a herpes virus infection, hepatitis or a bacterial infection that has penetrated into the fragile organism puppy with mother's milk.

A characteristic feature of the pathogenesis of infection by microorganisms is the transience of the disease, leading to the death of the entire litter in a matter of days. With a herpes virus infection, the pathogen enters the puppy’s body through saliva or discharge from the nasal passages. Infection can also occur through close contact or using the same items for care and feeding.

Even the owner himself can provoke an outbreak of the epidemic among his pets by bringing home the virus on his clothes, shoes and even hands. As practice shows, crowded keeping of animals in nurseries and homes leads to the fact that a herpes virus infection that occurs in one individual leads to 100% infection of all other pets. And there are no exceptions to this rule.

Curiously, adult dogs have quite good immunity to herpes virus infection. For this reason, the clinical picture of this pathology is quite blurry. But puppies, pregnant animals or individuals with weakened immune systems suffer severely from a herpes virus infection, which spreads like lightning throughout their body.

If we talk about puppies, they, as a rule, do not die immediately, but after 2 weeks. The virus travels a long and complex path before leading to the death of an animal. Having penetrated the mucous membrane of its host, the virus begins intensive reproduction in conditions of low temperature. Naturally, such activity destroys cells, which leads to erosion of the mucous membrane.

If for some reason the immune system is not able to resist the pathology at this stage, then the virus will unhindered continue its march through the body, affecting nerve ganglia, which will serve as a refuge for him for the entire period of latent development. Next, when stressful situation, for example, when the conditions for keeping puppies deteriorate, the genome is reactivated and the herpes virus re-infects the mucous membrane of the animal.

From this moment on, the dog becomes infectious, since the causative agent of herpes virus infection is actively released into the environment, although the carrier himself may still lack a clear clinical picture of the pathology. Miscarriages and stillbirths are quite common in infected young bitches. Even if puppies are born alive, they are completely unviable and die without even living for 2 days.

What to do to avoid puppy death?

After the puppies are born, the owner must carefully monitor their development. The first signal indicating an impending disaster will be the babies’ refusal of mother’s milk. After a short period of time, the puppies clearly show problems with the respiratory system. Then the puppies begin to rapidly die one after another. In less than a week, the entire litter dies.

You need to understand that when deployed clinical picture There is no point in treating puppies with pathologies. The only thing you can try to do is isolate healthy babies, transferring them to artificial feeding. In parallel with this, it is necessary to improve the living conditions of animals.

According to veterinary experts, the most effective method The fight against sudden death of puppies is to build the mother's immunity. Even short-term contact with dogs that have recovered from the herpes virus will allow the bitch to develop natural immunity. However, such events should not follow soon after.

Although infectious hepatitis is much less common than herpesvirus infection, its consequences are no less terrible. The death of the litter occurs so quickly that the owner does not even have time to invite a veterinarian. Less than 1 hour passes from infection to death.

Clinical picture represented by vomiting, diarrhea, fever and heavy discharge from the eyes and nose, even confuse experienced breeders dogs because they diagnose their pets with poisoning. Even a recovered animal will carry the virus for a year.

The pathogen is released into the environment along with the dog's urine and excrement. Thus, the owner should prohibit his pet from walking on fresh air sniff dog marks, since in this case the risk of infectious hepatitis penetrating through the mucous membranes of the nose and mouth is extremely high.

The life cycle of the virus in a dog’s body begins with damage to the lymph nodes, where it multiplies intensively. Further, having left the affected cells of the lymph nodes, viral particles accumulate in the liver parenchyma, causing its destruction.

Hello. My dog ​​died. I saw no signs of illness. I want to ask, is a dog capable of dying in 12 hours?

Answer

The body of pets is fragile, the loss of a four-legged friend sometimes happens unexpectedly. Dogs often cannot survive severe illnesses and die suddenly.

The reason is internal factors:

1. The most common source of rapid death is considered to be piroplasmosis. The infection is transmitted by a tick bite; a bulldog in an apartment can get sick, hunting dog running through the forest. It happens that an animal gets sick after a blood transfusion. Piroplasmosis occurs in different ways. If the form is chronic or acute, weakness, fever and diarrhea can be observed in the sick individual. At timely treatment The pet's chances of survival are high. If piroplasmosis occurs in a hyperacute form, the animal dies within a few hours without visible reasons. The use of anti-tick agents - collars, aerosols - will help prevent the disease.
2. Heart diseases. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs due to cholesterol deposition due to feeding of dogs fatty foods. Problems with the lungs or heart can cause harm to the heart. Symptoms include slowing and stopping breathing and convulsions. Cardiac death can occur within minutes or hours. Fatigue more than usual is recognized as a symptom of heart disease, but not every owner will notice this. Large breeds are more often susceptible to these diseases.

The reason is external influences:

• Poisoning with poisons intended for rats or rodents. Pets are often poisoned by the products. Or the pet eats an already poisoned rat or mouse - becoming infected through the corpse. Typically, drugs that affect the blood are more often used to poison pests. In the latter case, symptoms of poisoning are noticeable: foam at the mouth, vomiting, loss of consciousness. Isoniazid is also used to kill rodents, an anti-tuberculosis drug for humans that causes death in animals. A dog that has eaten a product poisoned in this way usually shows no signs. feeling unwell V within three hours. Then the effect on the brain begins. The pet begins to get tired or increase salivation. Often the owner does not pay attention to such a manifestation, sins on the amount of food given and drags his friend home. The four-legged friend quickly falls asleep - he’s tired. And then it turns out that he died for no apparent reason. In fact, after isoniazid poisoning, coma, difficulty breathing, and the animal simply suffocates in its sleep are possible. To prevent the outcome, you need to pay closer attention to what you pick up four-legged friend from the ground and wean off taking food from the hands of others.
• Death from suffocation. If a dog eats something spicy while out for a walk, the object that slips into the stomach causes muscle spasm and suffocation. If possible, it is recommended to induce vomiting in your pet to rid the body of the foreign object.

Possible death depends on breed

Heart-related deaths are common in small pedigree dogs, but the life expectancy of the miniature breed is longer. U large breeds More often, problems with the stomach and musculoskeletal system are to blame.

In selected breeds, health problems are inherited. Diseases of this type are difficult.

Cases of genetic inbreeding, what happens when the owner rare breed attempts to preserve her uniqueness lead to an untimely death. The slightest illness, capable of any mongrel and unnoticed by the owner, can result in a quick death.

A pet's life can end unexpectedly. It depends on nutrition, movement, the character of the dog, environmental factors, and genetic inheritance. A mistake in caring for an animal turns into a disaster if you don’t go through it regular examination at the doctor's. The attention of the owner is important; the lifespan of a furry friend depends on the person.

Even after death, our love for our beloved pets does not die. However, death - even for dogs - is a reality that we all have to face. IN last days true friend and companion, understanding the signs that a dog is dying will give you and your family plenty of time to mentally prepare and help prepare for your dog's beautiful, quiet, and peaceful exit. Read this article to make sure your baby experiences as little pain as possible.

Steps

Part 1

Pay attention to symptoms related to breathing. A few days to a few hours before death, you will notice that the dog's breathing will become shallow and at very long intervals. The normal resting breathing rate of 22 breaths per minute may drop to as little as 10 breaths per minute.

• Just before he dies, the dog will exhale deeply and you will be able to feel the air coming out of him. inflatable balloon, as her lungs collapse.
• The dog's heart rate will decrease from the normal 100-130 beats per minute to just 60-80 beats with a very weak pulse.
• In the last hours, you will notice that the dog is breathing shallowly and is no longer moving. Most of the time, your dog will only lie in a dark or secluded corner of the house.

1. Know how to recognize signs related to digestion. When a dog dies, it may show a very obvious loss of appetite. There will be virtually zero interest in eating and drinking water. As death approaches, organs such as the liver and kidneys gradually stop working, causing loss of digestive functions.

   • Due to dehydration, you may experience a dry and dehydrated mouth.
   • Vomiting may also be observed, which, as a rule, does not contain any food, only foam or sometimes yellowish to greenish acid due to bile. This also occurs as a result of loss of appetite.

2. Notice how her muscles work. Twitching or involuntary muscle spasms may occur as the dog becomes weaker due to loss of glucose. Loss of response to pain and loss of other reflex activities may also occur.

   • As your dog attempts to stand or walk, you will notice poor coordination and a wobbly gait, and possibly an inability to walk. Immediately before death there will be coma or loss of consciousness.
   • A dog approaching death that has suffered from a chronic or long-term illness will appear very emaciated. Muscle will be lost, the muscles will atrophy or become very small.

3. Pay attention to her toilet habits. Another sign is a lack of control over bladder and anal sphincter. Before dying, dogs often urinate and defecate uncontrollably; this is observed even in the most trained and disciplined dogs.

   • In this case, urination becomes uncontrollable and small in volume.
   • Closer to death, dogs experience liquid diarrhea, sometimes with unpleasant smell, and sometimes with a hint of blood.
   • After death, dogs urinate and defecate in last time due to complete loss of muscle control.

4. Pay attention to the condition of her skin. The skin will become dry and will not return back to its place if you pinch it - it's all about dehydration. Mucous membranes such as gums and lips will become pale; when pressed they will not return to their original pinkish color even after long time(one second is the normal recovery time for gums to return to their original color).

   Part 2

   How to recognize old age

   1. Pay attention to how agile your dog is. If the dog slows down in its movements, but is still able to eat, drink, walk, stand on its own and can still respond to your calls, this is simply a sign of old age. In this case, she is not suffering from any specific pain, she is simply getting older.

      • If your dog can still do the things he loves, such as going for walks, getting affection, playing or socializing with other dogs, but with less frequency and intensity, it's all down to old age.

   2. Pay attention to how much she eats. Old age can be noticed when a dog begins to eat less, but still regularly. As dogs get older (and people too), they tend to burn fewer calories and need less food. There's nothing to worry about - that's just how life works.

      Notice how much she sleeps. An older dog will sleep more and more while still being able to stand, move around and then eat. A dog that is sleeping but not moving or eating is likely very sick; A dog that sleeps a lot but still eats and seems sociable is getting older.

      Pay attention to how she behaves around other dogs. Losing interest in sexual activity, despite the presence of the opposite sex, is a sign of old age. Once again, dogs are not much different from people - after a while they just settle for less in life.

   3. Notice how she looks. Some things will show as you age. Look for the following:

      • graying or whitening of fur;
      • parts of the body that are frequently subjected to friction, such as the elbows, pelvic area and butt, become bald or hairless;
      • disappearance of teeth;
      • the whitening of the fur on the face becomes very obvious.

   4. If all of these signs apply to your dog, keep him comfortable. If your dog is already at this stage of old age, provide comfort by doing the following:

      • place it in a well-ventilated and warm room;
      • provide her with bedding so that she does not experience pain;
      • provide, but do not insist on, food and water;
      • Spend time with her every day: talk to her every day and stroke her head every day.
        • Some dogs, even when they are no longer frail and unable to move, can still respond to touch; some still manage to weakly wag their tail, while others react simply by moving their eyes (a testament to the dog’s devotion is that even in the last minutes of its life it tries to please its owner).

   Part 3

   Euthanasia of a dog

   1. Find out when euthanasia is appropriate. The Merck Veterinary Manual defines euthanasia or euthanasia of a dog as “an easy, painless death, taking into account the best interests of the animal, the act of killing the animal in a humane manner.” Its three main goals:

      • relieve the animal's pain and suffering;
      • minimize the pain, suffering, fear and anxiety experienced by the animal before losing consciousness;
      • cause an easy and painless death.
        • If euthanasia will provide her with more easy way leave, it may be appropriate. Will this be better for your baby in the long run?

   2. Think carefully about euthanasia. When it comes to deciding whether euthanasia is right, the welfare of the pet should always come first. Try to put aside your attachment, emotions and pride. Don't prolong her life for your sake. This is more humane, and it is your responsibility as the owner to provide your dog with a humane, painless death. Ask yourself the following questions: :

      • Does it further treatment impossible given the dog's condition?
      • Is the dog experiencing pain and suffering that is unresponsive to medications and painkillers?
      • Is your dog suffering from severe, painful injuries from which he may never recover, such as amputations, severe head trauma, or severe bleeding?
      • Has a terminal illness reduced the dog's quality of life to the point where he can no longer eat, drink, move or defecate on his own?
      • Does your dog have an inoperable birth defect that will cause him to have a poor quality of life?
      • Is the dog suffering from a contagious disease such as rabies that could be life-threatening to other animals and people?
      • Will the dog still be able to do what he likes even if treatment is possible?
        • Note: If the answers to these questions are yes, it is time to humanely euthanize your dog.

   3. When deciding on euthanasia, know that your best assistant will be your veterinarian. He will be able to properly assess the dog's condition through research and will have the power to tell you whether the condition is treatable or whether your dog's life is coming to an end and needs to be put down.

      • However, it is the owner who ultimately gives permission for the dog to be euthanized or euthanized. What conditions would cause you to consider euthanasia?

   4. Know about medical conditions serving as grounds for euthanasia. In general, any condition that causes pain and suffering, whether acute or chronic, is a reason for humane euthanasia. Here are some examples:

      • Car crashes.
      • Severe and treatment-resistant cases of demodicosis.
      • End stage renal failure, liver failure and very invasive or malignant tumors.
      • Infectious diseases that are incurable and pose a threat to the lives of other animals and people (an example is rabies).
      • The animal suffers from severe behavioral problems, such as extreme aggression, even after behavioral therapy, which can pose a danger to other animals, people and the environment.

   5. Know what signs indicate an animal is ready to be euthanized. These include:

      • The dog can no longer eat, drink, stand or walk, has completely lost interest and does not try to do so.
      • The dog is already weak and involuntarily urinates and defecates.
      • At respiratory failure when breathing is difficult and the dog does not respond to urgent measures and medications.
      • If there are signs of pain, such as constant screaming or whining, due to a terminal illness.
      • The dog cannot raise its head and constantly lies down.
      • An extremely low temperature that can be felt on the dog's skin will be a symptom that his organs have already stopped working.
      • The dog has very large tumors that are no longer operable and cause pain and immobility.
      • Mucous membranes such as the gums are already gray and dehydrated.
      • Very weak and slow pulse.
        • If you experience these symptoms, it is recommended that you call your veterinarian to help you evaluate your dog's condition. Your veterinarian will give you professional advice that can help you make your decision.

Our pets live much shorter than us. Dying of old age, they leave their owners the pain of loss and a lot of wonderful memories of games and walks, pranks and pranks, happy and sad days spent together. Sometimes illness takes them, they are poisoned or end up in emergency situations, but in such cases, confident and competent actions can prolong the life of the pet and save it. Any owner should know how dogs behave before death in order to have time to seek help. veterinary care, make his passing away easier, or just be with your friend for the last hour.

How to recognize a dog's approaching old age?

Dogs show the same signs of aging as humans. Gray hair appears in their fur, their eyes become dull, they eat less and less eagerly, they move more slowly, during walks they show little interest in the world around them, preferring to return home soon, they hardly or do not play at all, and increasingly they like to lie in silence and at a distance from others. dogs and people. This condition can last from several months to a year if the dog is not suffering from the disease. He quietly fades away and becomes weaker until his time finally comes to leave his family.

In older animals, the hair sheds and is not restored, and bald patches may form on the elbows, the area around the tail and on the stomach. Teeth may fall out, at least they are no longer sharp, but very worn down and darkened.

Old or tired chronic disease the dog is breathing intermittently and whistling, its hair is falling out and its claws are peeling, its nose is mostly dry, its gait is unsteady due to falling glucose levels, its urine becomes dark in color, and its stool is often broken for no apparent reason. The dog still reacts positively to affection, but does not actively ask for attention. More and more often he simply dozes in solitude. He may be irritated by loud noises, bright lights, and strangers. An aging animal, like an old person, needs peace, quiet, moderate temperature, dim lighting, a light diet and respect for personal space.

A sign of old age is a weakening of the sexual instinct. An elderly male does not care that a female dog is nearby; he does not perform a courtship ritual and does not enter into competition with other males, but the one who has entered the heat old dog drives them away and does not allow them to get on top of you.

Loss or confusion of consciousness. The dog either does not react to stimuli at all, or reacts weakly and indistinctly. He no longer sees, does not hear, and probably does not smell, but all owners note that even a pet on the verge senses their presence and even tries to wag its tail.

Amyotrophy. It is observed in very old or long-term and seriously ill animals. The dog can’t hold his head up, his paws are moving apart, his mouth is half-open, and under the skin, instead of muscle knots, it feels like dense jelly.

Dry skin and loss of elasticity. If you pinch the skin, the fold will not straighten out, and the color of the mucous membrane will not return to normal pink. It is caused by dehydration, loss of nerve supply, and loss of brain control over the body.

Why do dogs leave home?

It is difficult to say whether dogs sense their death, but it often happens that an old animal leaves home and disappears, it depends on its socialization. The owners find her dead and understand that the dog left on purpose - in anticipation of the end.

There are several versions as to why dogs leave home before they die. Some even believe that the animal feels the pain and bitterness of its owners and, by leaving, tries to alleviate their condition. But this is not true. To do this, you need to have human consciousness. It is the person who grieves for their deceased loved ones, who is afraid of death and thinks about it. The animal does not feel all this, since life and death are equally natural for him. Morality, ethics, aesthetics, religion, civilization - all this is alien to animals.

Biologists believe that a dog leaving home before death is caused by the same reasons as an old or sick wolf leaving its den. The dog’s consciousness becomes clouded and the skills acquired during life with humans are forgotten, ancient instincts come into play, to which all canines obey:

• You cannot burden a flock with a creature that cannot run quickly and hunt successfully,
• You cannot attract other predators to the flock with easy prey in the form of a weak individual,
• If you don’t hide, there is a risk of being torn to pieces by a large predator and dying painfully,
• If you die in a flock, the young animals will suffer from the products of decomposition.

Presumably, due to these motives, domestic dogs overcome weakness and leave home. However, dogs that have retained consciousness and attachment to humans overstep instinct and are left to die in the house in the arms of their owners.

How to help a dying dog

To make it easier for your pet to pass away, you should observe how the dog behaves before death. A dog's behavior before death always changes, and an attentive, loving owner cannot fail to notice this. If a dog dies easily, then he needs nothing but peace and quiet, sometimes the presence of his owner. Many dogs lick their owners' hands and wag their tails even in their last moments of life.

If the dying is associated with the dog’s physical suffering, then the owner’s duty is to alleviate his condition and decide on euthanasia or consider all options for a worthy farewell to his final journey. This is not murder, as many people think, but the last help to someone who has been around for many years and who helped cope with everyday difficulties as best he could.

Euthanasia is necessary for animals dying from cancer, due to head injuries, multiple bleeding, or incurable diseases. infectious disease. Only a veterinarian can perform this.

About the author: Anna Aleksandrovna Maksimenkova

The main causes of sudden death in newborn puppies and within three weeks after birth. The main factors for the rapid death of puppies in the early or late neonatal period are associated with herpes virus infection, infectious canine hepatitis, less commonly bacterial infection obtained from mother's milk. Also, during the first weeks after birth, puppies can be infected with many pathogenic microorganisms, which cause a fulminant form of the disease and sudden death.

Herpes virus infection

The virus is released through saliva and nasal discharge; therefore, herpesvirus infection is transmitted through casual contact (eg, sharing feeding bowls). Can also be spread by people who come into contact with infected dogs and then interact with healthy dog. Sometimes the virus is transmitted sexually.

Prevalence

It is estimated that up to 80% of dogs kept in kennels and overcrowded apartments are infected with the virus. However, adult dogs rarely develop Clinical signs diseases, as they develop good resistance to the virus. Most often, the infection can cause disease in pregnant dogs that have never had contact with the herpes virus, as well as in puppies under 3 weeks of age born to dogs that have not been exposed to the virus.

Development of pathology

The virus invades the mucous membranes, where it multiplies when low temperature, causing destruction of mucosal cells and leading to erosions. When the immune system is weakened, the virus invades the nerve ganglia, where it remains latent and does not multiply. Later, when the animal experiences stress (illness, childbirth), the genome is reactivated, the virus travels up the nerve and causes reinfection of the mucous membranes. The virus is released in external environment; may be excreted without reappearance of clinical signs or lesions (eg, asymptomatic carriers).

Clinical picture

In most adult dogs, the infection is subtle or asymptomatic, and there may be signs of catarrh respiratory system. A brighter picture is observed in young animals that have never previously been in contact with the source of the herpes virus, as well as in puppies born from such bitches.

In young bitches who do not have immunity, abortions or stillbirths may occur, and the death of puppies is also possible within 24-48 hours after birth. Typically, the mortality rate among puppies is 100%. In puppies younger than 3 weeks: high neonatal mortality. These puppies are susceptible to infection because they do not receive antibodies against the herpes virus in their colostrum. The first sign that appears in puppies when infected is a refusal to milk. They also develop respiratory signs and abdominal pain. Within 48 hours they die. The entire litter can be infected within 5-7 days with a 100% fatality rate. Puppies over 3 weeks of age may show minor signs of respiratory damage, danger fatal outcome decreases

Diagnostics

They try to make a diagnosis, since there are other diseases that can manifest similar symptoms. During the pathological autopsy dead puppies hemorrhagic lesions caused by generalized necrotizing vasculitis (inclusions of herpesvirus particles in infected cells) can be detected. The diagnosis can also be made based on determination of the antibody titer: in sick animals, the test results are often negative (prepatent period of infection), but elevated titers indicate the presence of a herpesvirus infection. The ELISA method is used to identify animals that secrete the virus. However, this method cannot detect infection at an early stage.

Once puppies have shown clinical signs, it is too late to begin treatment. Provide supportive treatment: infusion therapy, keeping them warm, separating healthy puppies from their mother.

The best preventive measure- this is to create immunity in bitches. Allowing her to interact with other animals, most of whom have been exposed to the virus, will help her develop immunity. In the late stages of pregnancy (3 weeks before giving birth) until three weeks after giving birth, the bitch and her puppies are kept out of contact with other dogs that may be carriers of the herpes virus.

Infectious canine hepatitis

It is rare, but can affect the entire litter. Can cause lightning death of puppies. The puppies look healthy, but after some time the condition may deteriorate sharply. Puppies can die within an hour of the onset of infection, so in such cases poisoning is often assumed. Clinically, puppies experience diarrhea, sometimes with blood, vomiting, fever, discharge from the eyes and nasal cavity, and depression. After the initial fever, body temperature may drop to normal or even below normal. In case of defeat nervous system convulsions and coma are observed, and if the liver is damaged, jaundice occurs. After recovery, the dog may develop a condition called blue eye (anterior uveitis and corneal edema).

The virus is shed in feces and urine. Infected individuals shed the virus in their urine for up to a year. The virus enters the body through the mucous membranes of the oral and nasal cavities.

Development of pathology

The virus, entering the oronasal cavity, multiplies in the tonsils and lymph nodes. Viral particles leave the affected cells, leading to viremia. They then infect liver parenchymal cells and endothelial cells, where they multiply and cause cellular damage. This cell damage leads to the development of vasculitis and hepatitis, which, in turn, contribute to the development of DIC and death.

The diagnosis is made by increased activity of liver enzymes (ALT) and the development of disseminated intravascular coagulation syndrome, isolation of the virus from the secretion of the oropharyngeal region, feces and urine (in early stages diseases). Serological analysis reveals a 4-fold increase in antibody titer taken after 2-4 weeks.

Prevention

Vaccination against viral hepatitis