The process of dying has been of special interest to me, and I keep seeing this disconcerting discrepancy all the time - when I research the process of dying in humans, the general consensus among professionals is that it is usually not painful or dramatic. But whenever I hear professionals speak of dogs dying, it is always about how painful and undignified and dramatic and unnecessary it is and that they should be PTS'ed rather sooner or later (not my experience btw). Which is it then?
Death is death, no matter who or what you are. The difference is we are an evolved species that can discern or come to terms with our emotions and mortality easier. A dog can't. It's instinct is survival, and when it's close to death, it's an unknown predator that they cannot understand nor see. And it scares them.
I'm not sure it's one or the other. I think it's a lot more nuanced than that. When humans are in the process of death, they often can communicate what they need. They're thirsty, hungry, in pain, etc. When they can't communicate directly, we often know a lot about how they are doing by our own empathy. If we were in that state, how would we feel? We can guess and make them comfortable. The problem for veterinarians is that their patients do not communicate directly with them. They have to rely on what they feel, their experience, and the report of those closest to the animal. They are more in the dark. And dogs and other animals cannot consent the way humans can. We have no sure way of knowing if a dog would sign a DNR that states no interventions, or one that states ALL interventions, or something in between. They are always operating in a gray area. Perhaps this is why they so often seem more dramatic to you? Without direct reports from animals themselves, it's hard for us humans to know ... so we guess and hope to err on the side of humane treatment. In some countries, it is illegal for a veterinarian to pts a patient ... but they also struggle, there. They feel that sometimes, witnessing a natural death is worse than what we see here. (Based on our conversations with individual veterinarians.) Death is not an easy topic, for sure.
@@DogCancer Thank you for this measured answer. I agree and would add that in dying it's not so much about 'all the interventions' vs 'no interventions' but rather about the right interventions. From what I've seen, doctors and veterinarians who usually aren't trained in end-of-life care, don't know which those appropriate interventions are. In an attempt to preserve life they often make the transition disproportionately more challenging. My other issue is that pet euthanasia has become the norm (at some 90% I think?), and as you said - it's done without their consent and it's only sometimes justified. That's a huge and very sad discrepancy. I just wanted to bring attention to this because it's information like I heard in this video - that 'dying is painful for dogs and it only gets more painful towards the end' that leads people and vets to pts rather sooner or later, and often unnecessarily. This is objectively not true. The body has inbuilt mechanisms for dying. Once the most troublesome symptoms are addressed the rest usually takes care of itself. Now, cancer might be the one exception. It's varied and the symptoms are hard to predict. It doesn't always follow the usual process of dying, and it can be very painful. So that's an area where I wouldn't be opposed to euthanasia. Thank you for your engagement. It's a great video summary otherwise.
Thanks for your response. I understand your point of view, and agree with it in part. I'll point out that many people do not understand their dogs are in pain even when it seems obvious to medical professionals. For example, a common thing to hear is "my dog isn't in pain, he just limps." Dogs do not limp if they are not in pain ... but that person genuinely doesn't know it. People also don't seem to understand that symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea cause distress for dogs, just like they do for us. No human would say "I felt nauseated all day, but I'm fine." But we think that about our dogs! All of the symptoms discussed here COULD be painful for a dog, and while it may sound alarmist to those like you, who understand a little something about a lot of things ;-) we promise, not everyone understands that about dogs. The point is not to urge people to pts, it's to get them to call their veterinarian and find out what's happening ... providing treatment or comfort care, as necessary. People tend to tune out long nuanced explanations ... And it's very difficult to make a video for every audience that is both effective and short. We promise we'll keep trying!
Social isolation and wanting to be outside a lot are the behaviors that sometimes we take as "hiding." We agree, that word definitely describes it, and it feels awful when our dogs hide from us, especially when we are worried they are just about to leave. 😞
It's more likely that you will see several of these symptoms at once, unfortunately ... and then only your veterinarian will be able to help either get your dog back on track or help your dog pass in a peaceful way. Obviously, money is tight for most of us, and that's always a factor. But our point in this video is that these signs are meaningful and ignoring them is not a good idea.
Thanks for your feedback. We're journalists, not veterinarians, so we are always careful to make sure that you know your own veterinarian is the best resource for your dog... it's the responsible thing to do. BUT we totally get your feedback!
This is the best video and so well described. Thank you so so much! This was so helpful. Even though I’m crying I feel so much comfort.
Thank you! This gave me closure to my last dogs death. She was a great dog and best friend to me and my family. RIP Ginger. ❤
You are so very welcome. RIP, Ginger.
Thank you!
Thank you
I was crying 😭 beginning to end my oldest dog has most of the last days and she is now really weak and old
I’m going through the same thing😢
If they won't eat, offer a warm grilled steak. Mine was terminal and she just couldn't resist it. I'm glad she was a part of my life and family.
That is a truly irresistible treat!
The process of dying has been of special interest to me, and I keep seeing this disconcerting discrepancy all the time - when I research the process of dying in humans, the general consensus among professionals is that it is usually not painful or dramatic. But whenever I hear professionals speak of dogs dying, it is always about how painful and undignified and dramatic and unnecessary it is and that they should be PTS'ed rather sooner or later (not my experience btw). Which is it then?
Death is death, no matter who or what you are. The difference is we are an evolved species that can discern or come to terms with our emotions and mortality easier. A dog can't. It's instinct is survival, and when it's close to death, it's an unknown predator that they cannot understand nor see. And it scares them.
@@RemnentPlays Oh, how I disagree with this...
I'm not sure it's one or the other. I think it's a lot more nuanced than that. When humans are in the process of death, they often can communicate what they need. They're thirsty, hungry, in pain, etc. When they can't communicate directly, we often know a lot about how they are doing by our own empathy. If we were in that state, how would we feel? We can guess and make them comfortable. The problem for veterinarians is that their patients do not communicate directly with them. They have to rely on what they feel, their experience, and the report of those closest to the animal. They are more in the dark. And dogs and other animals cannot consent the way humans can. We have no sure way of knowing if a dog would sign a DNR that states no interventions, or one that states ALL interventions, or something in between. They are always operating in a gray area. Perhaps this is why they so often seem more dramatic to you? Without direct reports from animals themselves, it's hard for us humans to know ... so we guess and hope to err on the side of humane treatment. In some countries, it is illegal for a veterinarian to pts a patient ... but they also struggle, there. They feel that sometimes, witnessing a natural death is worse than what we see here. (Based on our conversations with individual veterinarians.) Death is not an easy topic, for sure.
@@DogCancer Thank you for this measured answer. I agree and would add that in dying it's not so much about 'all the interventions' vs 'no interventions' but rather about the right interventions. From what I've seen, doctors and veterinarians who usually aren't trained in end-of-life care, don't know which those appropriate interventions are. In an attempt to preserve life they often make the transition disproportionately more challenging.
My other issue is that pet euthanasia has become the norm (at some 90% I think?), and as you said - it's done without their consent and it's only sometimes justified. That's a huge and very sad discrepancy.
I just wanted to bring attention to this because it's information like I heard in this video - that 'dying is painful for dogs and it only gets more painful towards the end' that leads people and vets to pts rather sooner or later, and often unnecessarily. This is objectively not true. The body has inbuilt mechanisms for dying. Once the most troublesome symptoms are addressed the rest usually takes care of itself.
Now, cancer might be the one exception. It's varied and the symptoms are hard to predict. It doesn't always follow the usual process of dying, and it can be very painful. So that's an area where I wouldn't be opposed to euthanasia.
Thank you for your engagement. It's a great video summary otherwise.
Thanks for your response. I understand your point of view, and agree with it in part. I'll point out that many people do not understand their dogs are in pain even when it seems obvious to medical professionals. For example, a common thing to hear is "my dog isn't in pain, he just limps." Dogs do not limp if they are not in pain ... but that person genuinely doesn't know it. People also don't seem to understand that symptoms like vomiting and diarrhea cause distress for dogs, just like they do for us. No human would say "I felt nauseated all day, but I'm fine." But we think that about our dogs! All of the symptoms discussed here COULD be painful for a dog, and while it may sound alarmist to those like you, who understand a little something about a lot of things ;-) we promise, not everyone understands that about dogs. The point is not to urge people to pts, it's to get them to call their veterinarian and find out what's happening ... providing treatment or comfort care, as necessary. People tend to tune out long nuanced explanations ... And it's very difficult to make a video for every audience that is both effective and short. We promise we'll keep trying!
You forgot one last minute sign: hiding
She did talk about wanting to stay outside/away from family a lot, so that behavior would be similar to hiding away.
Social isolation and wanting to be outside a lot are the behaviors that sometimes we take as "hiding." We agree, that word definitely describes it, and it feels awful when our dogs hide from us, especially when we are worried they are just about to leave. 😞
That was addressed!
My dog is dying 😢
❤
Apparently we need to call the vet and pay $600 for each symptom
It's more likely that you will see several of these symptoms at once, unfortunately ... and then only your veterinarian will be able to help either get your dog back on track or help your dog pass in a peaceful way. Obviously, money is tight for most of us, and that's always a factor. But our point in this video is that these signs are meaningful and ignoring them is not a good idea.
What 😨😳😔🙄😮😯
Sorry. Vets are clueless
All I hear is call your vet. This could be informative but coming across as hard selling. Can be better presented. 😅
Thanks for your feedback. We're journalists, not veterinarians, so we are always careful to make sure that you know your own veterinarian is the best resource for your dog... it's the responsible thing to do. BUT we totally get your feedback!