We understand how excruciatingly painful it is to watch your dog slowly die in your arms.
No one can be strong enough to face the loss of a pet- a small family member, especially when the dog screamed and died.
But first, try to calm down, as you must figure out a few things. What did you miss while raising the dog? And has your dog had any unusual behavior recently?
In this article, we will share with you the most common causes of the painful death of a four-legged friend.
Keep this information in mind to never let that traumatic situation happen again with your other dog.
What Threats Would Cause The Dog Scream?
A startling scream is a sign that the dog is suffering physical/emotional trauma or has difficult needs.
Therefore, starting with the cause of the cry can determine if it is life-threatening to your four-legged friend.
An Injury
When the dog cries in pain, it is likely to be injured. It is often accompanied by other impairments, such as a limp, refusal to move, or avoidance of all touching.
First, examine your dog’s entire body to locate abnormalities. You can use medical gauze for first aid for open wounds before transferring it to the nearest veterinary facility.
It is best to contact your veterinarian immediately for the most detailed instructions for severe internal hematomas.
Nightmares
What you may not know: Dogs frequently have nightmares, leading to seizures or whimpers in the middle of the night.
During the REM period, dogs have more frequent dreams and nightmares. Sometimes, the dreams are so bad that they unconsciously scream and wake up from the nightmare.
Trying To Communicate
Just like humans, dogs will use barking to communicate with their fellow creatures and even humans.
If you try sitting down and talking to your dog, it will get more excited and bark even louder.
Attracting Attention
Dogs want your attention, especially when they want food or play. Sometimes, the dog will squeal and wag its tail to show eagerness.
Rub the dog’s head gently and satisfy the furry friend’s needs. The dog will become obedient and stop barking immediately.
Bad Medical Condition
Discomfort due to the diseases inside the dog’s body can form “the last straw,” causing the dog to cry out in pain.
Unfortunately, not all of these conditions can be easily identified by external signs.
Therefore, whenever you feel your dog is in a depressed phase and a bad mood, promptly take it to the veterinarian to check for potential pathogens.
Boredom
Dogs that spend all day indoors without exercise will gradually create a feeling of boredom. When this emotion peaks, they will constantly howl and park.
It would help if you regularly let your dog participate in outdoor recreational activities to limit this situation.
If you are too busy to take your dog out, provide lots of toys for your hairy friend, such as a rubber ball and a puzzle toy.
Fear And Anxiety
Have you ever heard of separation anxiety that is commonly seen in animals?
When there is excessive stress and anxiety, the dog will easily lose control psychologically, leading to destructive actions, screaming, and barking.
Although this condition is quite common in pets today, some treatments, such as positive training methods, are available.
If you must be away often, enroll your dog in a behavior and psychology course at your local pet training class.
Parasites
Types of parasites that live on dogs by feeding on blood include ticks, worms, and fleas. When sucking occurs, the dog will itch, find ways to scratch, and scream helplessly.
If you suspect your dog has skin parasites, regular bathing and using tick-killing drugs can be effective.
It is best to consult a highly qualified veterinarian for blood parasites (such as worms and helminths).
Insect Bites
Like humans, dogs are particularly sensitive to insect venom or saliva proteins. Besides the innate sensitivity, dogs react even more sharply if bitten for a long time.
If the dog makes a sudden scream accompanied by scratching actions, it is time to bathe and apply insect killer to your hairy friend.
Seizure
When a dog has a seizure, it will make such a loud noise that any listener will feel sorry. Do not get impatient, as these sounds are not threatening or malicious.
You are best not to interfere in the dog’s seizure process, or you will cause unwanted problems for the dog’s health and yourself.
Once the epileptic convulsion is over, take the dog to the vet for an entire check-up and advice on a restorative diet.
What Could Be The Cause If Your Dog Screamed And Died?
Short Answer: Dogs dying of old age enjoy their last moment quietly. But if the dog suffers from heart or cardiovascular disease, it will scream before taking its last breath.
Despite best efforts, some causes of unexpected death remain a mystery.
Fortunately, advances in modern medicine have made it easier to pinpoint the cause of pet problems. Explore the main reasons compiled below to know more.
Heart Disease
This problem appears quite common, mainly in small dog breeds at least 5 years old.
Heart issues cause the heart rhythm to become irregular, leading to heart failure, sudden death, or death during sleep.
Some signs that your dog may have heart disease:
- Too tired for walking and playing
- Cough and difficulty breathing
- Bloating and swelling of the abdomen
- The hind legs suddenly become weak, or even paralysis
- Weak and easily collapse
The most common causes of heart disease include breed, nutrition, aging, and obesity. According to statistics, 95% of dog heart diseases will appear once the dog ages.
Ensuring a proper diet and healthy growing environment for your dog is the key to keeping this four-legged friend fit.
In addition, you should take your dog to the veterinarian every year for a prompt health status update.
Gastrointestinal Disease
The dog’s digestive system includes all the organs for food processing. They are mouth, stomach, esophagus, pancreas, liver, rectum, intestines, and anus.
Most gastrointestinal disorders lead to unexpected death in dogs.
Specifically, the three main reasons for rapid deterioration and death include sudden development of parvovirus (without specific clinical symptoms), volvulus, and torsion.
Some signs of digestive diseases that you should not ignore:
- Drooling too much
- Diarrhea or constipation
- Dog vomiting and regurgitation
- Dehydration, shock
- Stress while defecating
Hemorrhage
Trauma accompanied by bleeding is the main cause of shock and inadequate oxygenation for issues.
If the blood loss is too much, it can easily cause convulsions, and the dog will die after a few screams.
Signs of hemorrhage include:
- Weakness or coma
- Pale gums/ mucosal
- Lots of brushing or bleeding ( arteries spew blood, while veins bleed)
- Body temperature lower than normal, especially cold extremities
- Cough, increased respiratory rate, and difficulty breathing
- Blood in stool and urine
Whether your dog is bleeding externally or internally, you must take it to the veterinarian.
It’s best to give first aid with a bandage and press firmly on the wound for 5 to 10 minutes to stop the bleeding.
Toxicosis
Toxicosis occurs when dogs are exposed to toxins through physical contact, inhalation, or ingestion. These exposures gradually alter the body’s functions for the worse.
Below is a summary of the symptoms associated with intoxication. Depending on the type of poison, the four-legged friend will have different manifestations:
- Vomiting, abdominal pain and diarrhea
- Lethargy, loss of appetite, changes in appetite and depression
- Comatose
- Decreased or increased heart rate
- Excessive salivation
- Trembling in panic attacks, convulsions, and loss of balance (staggering)
- Hemorrhage (internal or external bleeding)
- Swelling or redness around and inside the mouth
- White gums
Generally, dogs at risk of poisoning include moldy foods, onions, garlic, macadamia nuts, chocolate, grapes, and Xylitol. In addition, the use of drugs, industrial chemical products, and cleaning agents can also lead to toxicity in dogs.
Trauma
Sometimes, naughty dogs will try to overcome the fence, rush to the road, or fall from a great height.
Other external causes, such as wild animal/human attacks and unintended accidents, can also cause the dog to be traumatized.
Like humans, injured dogs will whine or scream in pain. Besides, it also has the following manifestations:
- Going to the bathroom in your house
- Folding the tail and ears
- Hiding in the dark or clinging to you
- Depression, lower head to the ground
- Shaking and trembling
- Dilated pupils
- Panting or suddenly becoming aggressive
When a dog is injured, the first thing to do is take it to the nearest veterinary hospital. Every second of delay will make the dog’s condition worse.
What Are The Signs When Your Dog Might Be Dying?
If you know the common symptoms of a dying dog, you will have enough time to mentally prepare and ensure the dog’s final days are filled with love.
For those who don’t know where to start, here are the signs that you need to pay special attention to:
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Depression and anxiety
- Rapid weight loss
- Feeling itchy and discomfort
- Reduced desire to eat
- Body odor
- Eyes becoming dull and inflexible
- Not interested in anything
- Coma, tears
- Mild convulsion
- No strength left and stay still
It’s a pity that the journey of you and your furry friend is ending. In these final moments, the dog desperately needs your attention.
Gently stroke it and comfort it until your dog breathes its last.
How To Get Over The Loss Of Your Dog?
Most of us, animal lovers, often consider dogs as members of our own family. Having to say goodbye to them is the most painful job of your life.
Over the next few days, you’ll need to work through the loss. Here are some helpful tips just for you:
- Prepare a pet diary. Describe the dog’s special characteristics, qualities, and personal memories that you always keep in your heart.
- Confiding and expressing your feelings with important people
- Do some DIY decorations and picture books for the deceased dog (print photos or cut them out).
- Create an internet memorial site dedicated to your pet, or build a monument.
- Join organizations to help lost pets find their owners.
FAQs
Do Dogs Scream When Hurt?
Sure! Dogs can scream due to convulsions, pain, anxiety, excitement, parasites, or serious physical trauma.
Besides, chronic diseases (such as arthritis) and acute infections (such as otitis media) can also cause unpleasant yawns in dogs.
You must perform a comprehensive exam to check for bleeding from trauma on the dog.
Please take it to the vet facility so that the highly qualified doctors can develop the most effective treatment plan.
Why Did My Dog Suddenly Pass Away?
Heart disease is the leading cause of unexpected death in dogs, with manifestations including irregular heartbeats and blood clots.
Besides, some other reasons that can lead to premature death within minutes are GDV (stands for gastric dilatation and volvulus), toxin ingestion, and internal bleeding.
Ensure your dog stays healthy, even if it shows no signs of disease.
Do Dogs Cry Before They Die?
Sometimes! Unlike humans, animals, including crying, cannot express their emotions through their faces.
They often droop their tails, crouch low, or retreat into dark corners when sad or in pain. However, in their final moments, the dogs will sometimes shed tears.
Is Sudden Death Painful For Dogs?
Sure! You can imagine how much pain the dog must have suffered when it dies within minutes.
Usually, the main causes of eventual death in dogs are stroke, heart issues, cardiovascular disease, toxicity, gastric dilatation, and volvulus.
Conclusion
Dogs have a much shorter lifespan than humans, so you will probably face parting with your four-legged friend one day.
Especially when your dog screamed and died not due to old age but in an unusual way, we hope you are calm enough to determine the cause of your dog’s death and overcome the pain.
It’s painful to part with the hairy little member of your family forever.
But after all, cheer up because we are sure your deceased dog wants your health and happiness the most right now.
Always keep the memories of your furry friend in your heart. Good luck!
