We all know that death is as much a part of life as living. However, we, as Yorkie owners, do not like to think about it, but we also realize that it is something we must eventually face.
Most of the support articles on the internet today are those that help and aid in understanding the process of euthanasia. There are, however, very few that help Yorkie owners to understand and know what to expect when it comes to natural death.
There are signs that your Yorkie will present with to let you know when they are making a transition towards their death. More often than not, these signs present as sickness or other noticeable changes. When they occur, you can begin to prepare yourself for your Yorkies passing.
Some of the more common signs to look for in an elderly or sick Yorkie that shows they are transitioning are:
- Loss of coordination
- No longer drinking water
- Loss of appetite
- Loss of desire to move or enjoyment
- Extreme fatigue
- Muscle twitching
- Confusion
- Vomiting or incontinence
- Slowed breathing
- Unable to be comfortable
- A desire to either be closer to you or to be alone
- Loss of consciousness
A few weeks before the end arrives, you will notice a few changes in your Yorkie. In most cases, these changes will follow a somewhat similar pattern:
- Within three months to three weeks, before your Yorkie passes, you may notice symptoms such as weight loss, dull eyes, gastrointestinal issues, dehydration, as well as a possible lack of self-grooming.
- Within three weeks of the time they will pass, your Yorkie may present with a continued increase in weight loss, becoming a somewhat picky eater, a noticeable change in their breathing patterns. There will be less interest in playing and interacting, they will choose to self-isolate, there may be discharge from the eyes and skin issues.
- When your Yorkies time has come, they will let you know by way of extreme weight loss, a look of distance in their eyes, they will lose interest in everything. They will suffer from extreme restlessness or constant stillness, there will be a noticeable change in their temperament as well as how they smell.
These are the moments that all Yorkie owners dread to see—the heartbreaking realization that our beloved companions will be moving on without us. However, there is some solace that our Yorkies do not dread this time as much as we do. For them, the process of death is as natural as the process of life. It is something that “happens,” and although they do not feel dread in the process, they can pick up on our feelings during this time.
It is for this reason that, when our Yorkies time comes, we need to make them as comfortable as possible, given a warm place to rest, and companionship (or solitude) along with the reassurance from us that everything is okay. By providing these things, your Yorkie can transition and move on without feeling any fear.
