If you love your pit bull, it’s expected that you want them to live as long as possible in your home. Sadly, like all sentient animals, dogs eventually experience illness and disease. You must monitor your pet’s symptoms for any signs of a deadly condition, so you know how to give it a peaceful death.
Since a pet cannot communicate with you like a human child, figuring out when your pit bull needs help or is in pain can be frustrating. In certain situations, pit bulls will show subtle or barely detectable symptoms you might miss if your busy life gets in the way. But others will be easy to catch and require urgent medical attention.
This article will take a deep dive to look at the symptoms pit bulls can display when they are unwell or near the end of their life. We will also review the possible causes of these symptoms and advise you on how to treat your pitbull when it shows the signs of death we discuss.
Signs Your Pit Bull Is Dying
Unless you are a trained veterinarian, discussing your dog’s health with them is critical before deciding to end its life. Below are end-of-life symptoms you should look out for that you can notify your vet about if you notice any:
1. Pain and Discomfort
These are typical symptoms your pit bull will display when they are nearing the end, but how can you identify them?
- Pain: When your dog feels severe pain, it may spend much time secluded from you and interact with the family less. They will start breathing louder because the pain exhausts them, and shaking is common. Some other signs include aggression, inability to sit still, and being easily annoyed.
- Discomfort: If your pit bull feels uncomfortable, you will notice it sleeps much longer and hides in areas that make it feel serene, and it will be unwilling to leave when you want them to. Another sign of discomfort is sleeplessness which keeps them moving around all night.
Actions to take: Speak with your veterinarian about any meds your dog can try to ease its pain. They will know the best moves to take so your pit bull feels some form of comfort.
2. Loss of Appetite
During your pit bull’s final days, it will begin to eat less, especially if they are vomiting and feeling extreme pain. Its inability to digest a meal will be followed by gastrointestinal symptoms that cause your dog to throw up or have diarrhea.
Actions to take: Discuss the situation with your vet and ask if you can pay for appetite stimulants to see if your pit bull starts to feel hungry again. Another natural alternative could be to give food reserved for family members in your home as long as it’s wholesome and taste good.
3. Weight Loss
If you start to see that your dog has lost a lot of weight, it may not be eating enough or is having metabolism issues for whatever reason. Your pit bull may also be in pain which decreases appetite, resulting in weight loss.
Actions to take: Visit your veterinarian and discuss possible diets stimulating weight gain. It’s also a good idea to try and tempt your pet with snacks it usually enjoys.
4. Vomiting
Vomiting is a typical symptom that indicates your pit bull may be suffering from a severe disease or reaching its final years. If it has other symptoms that accompany vomiting, you may need to start preparing for the end. The source of this issue is in the digestive system, which might be ready to shut down, and there is very little a vet can do to help.
Actions to take: Vomiting dries up the body of all living beings, so the first step is to ensure your pet’s bowl is always filled with water. To make your dog feel less bored, occasionally add some low-sodium broth.
5. Body Odor
Your home will have a foul odor when your pit bull’s body ceases to function normally. The source of the smell could be kidney failure, a decreased metabolism, oil clogging up its fur, rotten teeth, and poor hygiene. Towards its finals days, your dog’s usual smell will change, and sadly it’s a scent you will never forget.
Actions to take: Baths with warm water are a great way to solve this problem. Use dry pet shampoo if your dog is a nightmare to bathe, and ensure the brush you use for its fur is durable. After this, wash the dog bed, toys, and pillows, if it has any. The last step is to feed it dental doggy treats that freshen up your pit bull’s breath.
6. Dull Eyes
Your pit bull’s eyes will seem lifeless and dull towards the end. Due to cloudy pupils, it won’t be able to see you anymore from a certain distance. This symptom will indicate that your dog is getting older, but things will be more serious when combined with others.
Actions to take: The first step is to discuss with your vet about meds to help your dog’s eye condition. Pain meds will also ease their illness if they seem to be hurting.
7. Seizures
The older your pit bull is, the higher the chance it could have a seizure. Kidney problems, changes in metabolism, and brain aneurysms can trigger seizures.
Actions to take: If you notice your pet is having a seizure, the first step you need to take is to move the dog away from everything that might hurt it, and that includes your stairs, furniture, or anything sharp.
8. Breathing Problems
Your pit bull will struggle with breathing when it reaches its last days. The breathing rate will seem either fast or slow depending on the illness it has. Another difference you might notice is how noisy or hushed their breathing sounds.
Actions to take: The only thing you can do now is to be near your pit bull and show it all the affection you can. Hold those memories in your memory bank and be ready to move on with life.
9. Clinginess
During its final days, all your pit bull will need from you is your time and comfort when it feels pain. Allow it to lay near you, and invite your family to make it a special moment for everyone that loves the pet.
Actions to take: Hug your dog and give it as many kisses as possible while it feels comfortable. In the end, the time you have will be fleeting.
Conclusion
Losing a beloved pit bull that’s been near you its whole life is never easy. But paying attention to the symptoms that indicate your dog is near the end will help you prepare for its final days. Remember, the symptoms above may or may not mean your dog has a terminal illness, but it does help you know that taking them to a veterinarian should be your first response to help you understand what you must do. If it is a fact that your pit bull is going to die soon, you can then fill those last days with love, comfort, and support so it can move on to the next life in peace and grace.
Meta Description: Is your pit bull displaying worrisome symptoms of disease or pain? Don’t wait until it’s too late to recognize the signs that your furry friend might be facing its final days. This comprehensive guide will help you understand the common symptoms and causes of pitbull health problems so that you can make informed decisions about your dog’s care. From preventative measures to end-of-life comfort, learn how to provide the love and support your pitbull needs during this challenging time.
