Is My Schnauzer Dying? 13 Signs and What to Do

We each dread the day when we know our Schnauzer is aging and possibly slipping away. Whether it is from a known, terminal illness or if she happens to pass suddenly, it’s a stressful and painful experience. While it might feel better to deny the inevitable, becoming well-informed and prepared will actually decrease your anxiety and stress. As our Miniature Schnauzer, Livi, continues to age I wanted to understand what to look for with regard to her health and also, regrettably, how to recognize signs that she may in fact be dying. I made sure I had the facts, and now want to share them with you. Here’s what you need to know.

Is my Schnauzer dying? Your Schnauzer is most likely dying if she exhibits a combination of signs such as a severe loss of appetite, no desire to drink, vomiting, extreme fatigue and lack of interest, loss of coordination, involuntary twitching, incontinence, irregular breathing, decreasing body temperature, decreasing heart rate, and loss of consciousness.

As we all face the inevitable reality that our Schnauzers will pass at some point, being prepared with information can make the experience less stressful.

This article will review what to do if your Schnauzer dies at home, how to bury your Schnauzer, and how to handle grief.

You will also be interested in my documentation of your options in my End of Life Care for Your Schnauzer: A Comprehensive Guide. The guide covers some of the information below, as well as euthanasia, at-home palliative and hospice care, and more.

For now, let’s review the top 13 signs that your Schnauzer is ready to pass and what to do when she does move on.

13 Signs Your Schnauzer is Dying

If your Schnauzer has a terminal illness, you might need to care for her at home during her final days.

Knowing the signs inherent in the dying process will prepare you to handle the situation well and support your Schnauzer (and possibly your family) through the emotional process.

Here are 13 of the most common signs that your Schnauzer is dying:

1. Extreme Fatigue	When a Schnauzer is dying, he’ll show signs of excessive fatigue. In most cases, he will probably lie in one place without trying to get up, and he may no longer have the strength even to lift his head. This might be a slow decline and can be caused by anemia, lack of energy, or poor circulation.
2. Lack of Coordination	When a Schnauzer is dying, she may become unsteady on her feet and have difficulties moving from one place to another. It might be a result of impaired brain function, physical weakness, or the two combined. Weakness in a dying Schnauzer is likely to occur if she is not eating, has severe blood loss, or diarrhea.
3. Lack of Interest	Most Schnauzers start withdrawing to themselves when they are nearing the end. Your Schnauzer might cease responding to what is going on around him, and he might even stop responding to his favorite people as his body begins shutting down. A lack of interest may also be the result of disorientation and confusion.
4. Loss of Appetite	A dying Schnauzer will practically show no interest in food, in particular. As death draws near, she may refuse to eat anything at all.
5. No Desire to Drink	As his condition deteriorates, he may also lose the desire to drink water. If he is able and willing, you can give him drops water with a dropper or even a turkey baster. If he won’t drink, there is not much you can do, and forcing him won’t help.
6. Vomiting	If your Schnauzer has a terminal illness, his digestive system may start shutting down and the undigested food can make him feel nauseated. He might vomit to purge all the contents in his stomach. Beginning to vomit is a serious complication because he might also become dehydrated.
7. Odd or Irregular Breathing	Your Schnauzer may have difficulty breathing, have very shallow breath, or simply have a breathing pattern that does not seem normal. This can be due to many of the other symptoms he is dealing with at this stage.
8. Incontinence	A dying Schnauzer gradually loses control over her bodily functions because she might be too weak to arise and have will accidents where she lies. Again, as her body weakens, she loses control of her sphincter muscle and the muscles that normally control her bladder as well. You should practice good nursing to ensure that your Schnauzer does not develop sores that are secondary to feces or urine being in contact with her skin for a prolonged period.
9. Twitching	A dying Schnauzer may shake or twitch at times. It’s usually an involuntary response, and your Schnauzer might also become chilled as her body temperature starts to drop. You can help keep her more comfortable by providing extra warmth with blankets or by placing her on a heating mat for dogs.
10. Deteriorating Skin and Hair	Your Schnauzer’s skin and hair give clear indications of her health. You may notice the quality, color, and overall condition of her skin and hair becoming noticeably worse. She may even begin shedding and losing clumps of hair. Schnauzer skin is normally slightly oily, but you may notice her skin becoming very dry.
11. Deteriorating Dental Health	Dental health is also a clear sign of overall health or disease. If her gums turn white, that can be a sign of anemia, which can be severe. If she has pink gums, but they remain white for a few seconds when pressed with fingers, it indicates circulatory collapse.
12. Decreased Heart Rate	A healthy Schnauzer’s heart rate is generally between 100-130 bpm. As your Schnauzer deteriorates, her heart rate will decrease to 60-80 bpm and continue falling lower as she passes.
13. Coma or Loss of Consciousness	Your Schnauzer may lose consciousness or slip into a full state of coma before she actually passes. This is a clear sign that she is near the end of her life. However, she may linger for several hours in this condition.

---

What Are My After-Care Options?

Now that you are familiar with signs that your Schnauzer is dying, you’ll want to be prepared for the inevitable.

You can choose to euthanize your Schnauzer or allow him to pass naturally.

There are various aftercare options for your Schnauzer’s body after death, and your personal and financial considerations always influence these choices.

When you call your veterinarian to report your Schnauzer’s passing, or if you’ve chosen euthanasia, all the available options may be explained to you.

The two common choices are cremation and burial.

You also have the option of burying your Schnauzer at your home, if it is legal in your area. Please read at-home burial details below. You will want to have already identified any city laws you will need to abide by.

Cremation Options

Cremation allows you to turn the remains of your Schnauzer into ashes that you can store the ashes in your house in an urn or other unique containers, or an eco-friendly urn for burial. You can decide whether you would like the body cremated and ashes returned or disposed of by the cremation center.

The cremation center will make the necessary arrangements and notify you when you should expect to have the remains returned. Having your Schnauzer cremated without returning the remains is an affordable and convenient option for people who don’t have a place in their backyard to bury their Schnauzer at home.

Burial Options

Burying your Schnauzer is the other common after-care option. The veterinary hospital you select will prepare your Schnauzer for you to bury in a pet cemetery, or at home if it’s allowed.

However, if you decide to bury him in your yard, remember that one day you might relocate to another home or state. Burying pets at home is preferred by many, although it might not be permitted or practical in your area. Before you make your decision, remember to check the restrictions of your local area.

How To Bury Your Schnauzer

If your Schnauzer has suddenly passed at home, or his death was expected due to illness, you have the after-care options described above, one of which is to bury him.

You can either arrange to have him buried in a cemetery of your choice or bury him at home, depending on your local laws and restrictions.

Burying Your Schnauzer at Home

If you would like to bury your Schnauzer at home, you will need to check your local state and city laws to ensure it is legal.

If your Schnauzer has been euthanized, you should not bury him in your yard. The euthanasia drugs are highly toxic to other animals and will remain readily available from your Schnauzer’s body for at least one year.

If burying your Schnauzer is legal where you live, and you have not euthanized him, here are the steps to follow:

1. Select a burial location that is away from water, gardens, and other highly used parts of your yard.
2. Once you’ve selected a safe location, place your Schnauzer (wrapped in his blankets and heavy-duty bags) in a container of your choice, such as a meaningful box or casket.
3. Ensure that the grave site is at least 3 feet (deeper for Standard and Giant Schnauzers) and cover the site completely with 2-3 feet of dirt.
4. You can memorialize the location with a meaningful marker of your choice. You can turn the burial of your Schnauzer into a beautiful memorial by creating a headstone, or placing a medium-sized rock at the spot. If you have children, you can create a memorial stone together with them, along with a meaningful service.

Choosing a Pet Cemetery

If you plan to bury your Schnauzer in a pet cemetery and have several local options, you should consider the price and maybe a location close to your home. Just like a human cemetery, you’ll probably have the choice of selecting a place if you want an individual site. The cemetery manager will work with you to find the spot you want.

Some states also allow pets to be buried in a family plot alongside their human family. Check with your state and local cemeteries as you consider your options.

What to Do If your Schnauzer Dies At Home

If your Schnauzer is euthanized at your veterinarians office, the staff will handle his remains for you. You will have previously made arrangements for either cremation or burial.

However, if your Schnauzer suddenly dies when at home, you should follow these steps right away.

1. Evaluate the situation

While this may sound like an obvious step, knowing that your Schnauzer is gravely ill and believing that he has passed is a stressful experience. It is possible that his pulse is simply so weak as to be undetectable.

The first step is to assess the situation and confirm his death, if possible. If you are not completely sure your Schnauzer has passed away, take him to the nearest veterinarian for assistance. The veterinarian will be able to confirm your Schnauzer’s condition.

2. Contact your veterinarian or a crematory service

If your Schnauzer as passed during normal working hours, your veterinarian’s office can take you through the necessary steps. They might also have a way of connecting you with a mobile vet or a pet crematory service that can pick up your Schnauzer’s body, if that is what you want.

3. Call for assistance and support

Losing your beloved Schnauzer is not an easy thing, so it will be best if you avoid being alone. If possible, you can call a family member or close friend who can provide you with emotional support and also assist you in handling the remains of your Schnauzer compassionately.

4. Although your Schnauzer’s passing at home will be a painful and potentially stressful situation, take a few minutes to say your goodbye’s and pay your last meaningful respects.

5. Take care of your Schnauzer’s body

If your Schnauzer dies over a holiday or during the night, you will need to handle the body. If you want to bury your Schnauzer yourself, but you cannot do it immediately for some reason, then his body should be stored properly to prevent decomposition.

It is a hard fact to face, but your Schnauzer’s body will begin decomposing within 10 minutes of his death. If you plan to handle your Schnauzer’s death at home, you will need to be prepared for the realities.

Here is what you should be prepared to do:

1. Wear gloves and possibly a face mask as you handle his body. You may also want to change into clothing that is easily washable.
2. Be prepared for bodily fluids and have towels, cleanser, and plastic bags nearby. As you arrange and move your Schnauzer’s body, additional bodily fluids may be released. Be prepared to clean him and his surroundings.
3. Have a sheet, blanket, or towel ready to wrap his body. In addition, have one or more heavy-duty trash bags available. If the bags are thin, be sure to double or triple them.
4. Arrange his body on the sheet, blanket, or towel. Be sure to place him on his side and arrange him in a fetal, curled-up position with his front and hind legs against his body, as if he is sleeping peacefully. This will ensure that as rigor mortis quickly sets in, he is in a comforting and easily transportable position.
5. Wrap his body tightly in the sheet, blanket, or towel and then place him inside of the plastic bag. Miniature Schnauzers will be the easiest to arrange and move, but if you have a Standard or Giant Schnauzer, you will most likely need some help.
6. Secure the plastic bag. It is probably best to wrap it tightly around your Schnauzer once he is inside and secure with tape. If his body is being transported to another location, add a tag that includes his name, along with your name and phone number.
7. Your Schnauzer’s body will need to be refrigerated if you are not able to either bury him or transport his body to your veterinarian or pet aftercare organization immediately. If you cannot bury or transport him immediately, and refrigeration is not an option, you could consider placing him in a basement or garage inside of extra bags temporarily, but it’s not ideal. In as little as 3-6 hours, the odor will become severe.

What Stages of Grief Will You Experience After Your Schnauzer’s Death?

The loss of a Schnauzer can invalidate your personal feelings as you get through the process of grieving, but you should not allow them to influence your feelings.

As with all grief, there are five generally accepted stages. Keep in mind that people don’t cycle through them in a logical and linear way because everyone grieves differently.

Consider the reality that you and your family will each cycle through the following stages:

Denial

Denial is just a normal part of the process of grief. Allow yourself to express your feelings in ways that truly benefit you. Expressing your true feelings can be quite therapeutic.

Anger

It is quite common for you to become angry at the “how” and “why” your Schnauzer died. Becoming angry at the reason for your Schnauzer’s passing may lead to bargaining.

Bargaining

Many individuals try to deal with the sense of helplessness and vulnerability they feel by bargaining with themselves, with their lost Schnauzer, or with a higher power. Sometimes your bargaining may involve a sense of guilt and regret with regard to what you did or did not do for your Schnauzer.

Depression

Sadness or depression is the longest stage in the grieving process. You can hold an amount of sadness in your heart for your Schnauzer. It can lead you to acknowledge the reality of the separation you must face.

Acceptance

Acceptance is the last stage of grief, but accepting the loss doesn’t mean forgetting all the memories. It means embracing the beautiful and sweet life your Schnauzer lived. At this phase, you might feel like your life is returning to normalcy again, and you might even consider getting another Schnauzer. Whether you are prepared for your Schnauzer’s death and have been aware of all of the signs, or she has passed suddenly with no warning, the experience is painful. Knowing what to do in a variety of situations can support you in handling it as successfully as possible, making good decisions, and knowing that the resulting stress and your grief is normal.

---