What shuts down first when a dog dies?

When a dog that has been with them day and night reaches the end of its life, every owner hopes to understand their condition as much as possible and give them the last gentle companionship. The heavy question of "Which part of the dog's body stops functioning first when it dies" not only carries the owner's concern for their pet, but also concerns whether we can better comfort and care for them at the last moment of their life. Finding this answer is a profound journey to face the passing of life, and it is also another interpretation of our deep affection for pets. ​

From a professional medical point of view, the cessation of body functions when a dog dies does not happen instantly, but is a gradual process, and the closure of each system has a certain order. Generally speaking, changes in the heart and respiratory system are often the most critical signals, and the respiratory system usually shows obvious signs of stopping before the heart. ​

In the last stage of a dog's life, the function of the respiratory system will gradually decline. Under normal conditions, a dog's breathing is stable and regular, but when it is close to death, the breathing will become disordered and shallow. At first, it may manifest as an accelerated breathing rate, which is because the body is short of oxygen and tries to get more oxygen by speeding up breathing. However, as the condition worsens or the body's functions decline, the breathing rate will gradually slow down, and the breathing will become intermittent, or even stop for a long time. At this time, the dog's lung function has been severely damaged, and it is unable to effectively exchange gases. Oxygen is difficult to enter the blood, and carbon dioxide cannot be excreted from the body, causing the body's organs to be unable to work normally due to lack of oxygen. ​

When the respiratory system gradually stops working, the burden on the heart will become heavier. The heart is the core power to maintain the body's blood circulation. When the respiratory system function declines, the heart needs to work harder to try to transport the only oxygen to the whole body. But as the lack of oxygen worsens, the heart's cardiomyocytes will gradually lose their ability to contract because they cannot get enough oxygen and nutrients. The heart beats begin to become weak and irregular, and the heart rate gradually decreases. The originally strong heartbeat will become weak and vague through the stethoscope until the heart stops beating and the blood circulation is completely interrupted. ​

In addition to the heart and respiratory system, the dog's nervous system will also undergo significant changes during the death process. At the end of their lives, dogs' consciousness will gradually blur. Their once bright eyes will become dull and their responses to environmental stimuli will become slow. Even to the familiar voices and touches of their owners, their responses will no longer be as enthusiastic as before. This is because the nerve cells in the brain are extremely sensitive to hypoxia. When the body is hypoxic, the function of nerve cells is first affected, causing the dog to be unable to perceive external information normally, and their thinking and consciousness gradually dissipate. As the brain function stops completely, the dog's pupils will dilate and no longer contract in response to light, which is also one of the important signs that the nervous system has stopped functioning. ​

The digestive system will also enter a "dormant" state in advance during the dying stage of a dog. Long before other important organs in the body show obvious failure, dogs will experience loss of appetite or even complete refusal to eat. This is because the body's metabolic function declines, energy requirements decrease, and at the same time, the discomfort caused by illness or aging also makes them lose the desire to eat. The peristalsis of the gastrointestinal tract becomes slow, the secretion of digestive juices decreases, and food cannot be digested and absorbed normally in the gastrointestinal tract. Even if they are barely fed, dogs may experience symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea, which further aggravates their physical weakness and accelerates the passing of life. ​

Important metabolic organs such as the kidneys and liver will gradually lose their functions in the last stage of a dog's life. The kidneys are responsible for filtering waste from the blood and maintaining the water-salt balance and acid-base balance in the body. When the kidneys fail, toxins in the body cannot be excreted, which will lead to a series of serious complications such as azotemia, further damaging other organs in the body. The liver undertakes important functions such as detoxification and synthesis of nutrients. The decline in liver function will affect the body's metabolism and immunity, making the dog weaker and more difficult to resist the invasion of diseases. ​

Facing the end of a dog's life, although the process is heartbreaking, understanding the order in which the various parts of the body stop functioning can help the owner better understand the state of their beloved pet. In the last days of the dog, giving them a quiet and warm environment, gentle caressing and loving companionship may allow them to feel more peace and happiness in the last moments of their lives. Every encounter with a pet is a precious fate. Even if there is a farewell, this memory will always remain in the owner's heart and become a warm and profound mark in life.