how long does it take for rigamortis to set in on a cat? and does heat affect it?

Question

my friend lost her cat today and we are trying to firgure out the time of death.... or appromixate time at least....

Answer 1

Why aren't you burying it?

Answer 2

I found this on a pet vet site:

2nd July 2004

We are sorry to hear that your cat has died. It is indeed possible and common for eyes to open after death, even if they were closed at the time of death.

This is due to chemical changes occurring in the muscles within the first few hours, causing them to contract and stiffen. This process is called rigor mortis.

Rigor mortis tends to affect the smallest muscles first, and then spread throughout the larger muscles. Typically, rigor is first apparent in the small muscles of the eyelids, then the lower jaw and neck, followed by the limbs. The muscles of the eyelids are called orbicularis oculi and levator palpebrae superioris. In life, orbicularis oculi is used to close the eyelids, while levator palpebrae superioris lifts the upper eyelid to open the eye.

When rigor affects the levator muscles first, the eyelids open and the muscles stiffen. Thus, when rigor affects the orbicularis muscles shortly afterwards, the force of contraction they produce is not enough to overcome the stiffness of the levator muscles and the eyes remain open.

Rigor mortis continues for a day or two and then the muscles soften as decomposition sets in. So it is possible that your cat passed away in her sleep.

Answer 3

Is the body bloated? That would give you a good idea of whether or not the heat is affecting it.

As for humans...rigormortis usually relaxes within a few hours-usually two.

Why do you want to know, by the way...?