What physical changes happen to a dog's body immediately after death?

Question

Hello My dog died and his tongue was hanging out and I could not open his jaw of his mouth, he was bleeding and when i looked at his teeth and gums his teeth were preventing me from opening his mouth it is unknown was he hit by a car as he had no other injurys he didnt seem long died would this injury be instant could he been saved if i had got to him in time. How long does it take a dog to die in regard to his eye mucles. Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Small (up to 22lb) | Male | 6 months and 6 days old

Dr. Strydom, DVM · Accepted Answer

I'm sorry to hear this happened. It sounds like he was already in rigor mortis when you found him since you were unable to open the mouth easily. Rigor can start as soon as 10 minutes or up to three hours after death and can last as long as 72 hours. So that will not help you pinpoint when he died or what caused his death. The corneal reflex (eye) stops very quickly after death, within minutes. I do not know if he could have been saved if you had found him earlier. I do not have enough information to go on. If you want to know for sure what caused his death you should have your vet do a necropsy (autopsy).

What physical changes happen to a dog's body immediately after death?

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