| Dehydration in dogs, which occurs due to an | | | | dehydrated. The higher the level of dehydration, |
| excessive loss of body fluids, is a common and | | | | the more pronounced will be the symptoms. |
| dangerous condition that needs to be immediately | | | | What You Should Do |
| addressed. If left untreated, dehydration can lead | | | | As mentioned above, dehydration in dogs is |
| to serious consequences, including organ failure | | | | serious and if left untreated can be fatal. |
| and death. For this reason, pet parents should | | | | Therefore, it needs to be addressed immediately. |
| learn to recognize the signs of dehydration and | | | | If you suspect that your dog is dehydrated, do |
| how to respond to it. | | | | not attempt to treat him at home, as it is unlikely |
| Dehydration is typically caused by: | | | | he will be able to drink enough water to correct |
| - Vomiting | | | | the situation. The best course of action is to |
| - Diarrhea | | | | immediately take your dog to your veterinarian or |
| - Fever | | | | an emergency veterinary clinic for diagnosis and |
| - Not enough intake of food or water | | | | treatment. |
| - Overexposure to heat | | | | Your veterinarian will determine the level of your |
| An ill dog is at high danger of dehydration, since | | | | dog's dehydration and the volume of fluids needed |
| the illness can cause vomiting, diarrhea, fever and | | | | to re-hydrate him. Fluids will then most likely be |
| a lack of desire to eat and drink. | | | | administered either subcutaneously (under the |
| Along with a loss of water, dehydration also | | | | skin) or intravenously for greatest efficiency. |
| typically involves a loss of electrolytes - minerals | | | | Your veterinarian will typically also ask you |
| such a sodium, chloride and potassium. | | | | questions about your dog's recent eating and |
| Signs of dehydration in dogs include: | | | | drinking habits and physical symptoms, as well as |
| - Lack of skin elasticity | | | | perform a physical examination and laboratory |
| - Dry, sticky gums | | | | tests to determine the level of your dog's |
| - Sunken eyes | | | | dehydration, as well as the cause of the |
| - Too much or too little urination | | | | dehydration. |
| - Lethargy | | | | Once again, do not attempt to treat a |
| - Delay in capillary refill time (the time it takes for | | | | dehydrated dog at home. If you suspect that |
| your dog's gum to return to its normal color after | | | | your dog is dehydrated, be safe and take him to |
| you press your finger against it) | | | | your veterinarian. If he is not vomiting, you could |
| How to Determine Dehydration in Dogs | | | | also try giving him Pedialyte®, an |
| Although it is less accurate than medical testing | | | | electrolyte-replacement drink made for infants, |
| from your veterinarian, a quick at-home physical | | | | which is also safe for dogs. This should not, |
| examination to test the elasticity of your dog's | | | | however, replace bringing your dog to the |
| skin can help tell you if your dog is dehydrated. | | | | veterinarian for prompt medical treatment. |
| To check, do the following: | | | | To avoid dehydration, always make sure that |
| Gently pull up on the skin at the back of your | | | | your dog has plenty of clean, fresh water |
| dog's neck. If the skin does not immediately | | | | available and that he eats and drinks normally. |
| spring back to its normal position (within 1 or 2 | | | | If your dog is ill or injured, monitor him closely to |
| seconds), your dog is dehydrated and needs | | | | make sure he is drinking enough water to |
| immediate attention. The longer it takes for the | | | | replenish fluids lost due to vomiting, diarrhea or |
| skin to return to its normal position, the more | | | | fever. Also be aware that excess fluids are lost |
| severe the dehydration. | | | | as a result of excessive panting or severe |
| Be aware that if your dog is older it will be more | | | | drooling. In cases of drooling, the dog's gums may |
| difficult to accurately perform this test, since older | | | | feel moist, even though he is dehydrated. |
| dogs naturally lose some of their skin elasticity. | | | | After your dog has been re-hydrated, it is |
| Accurately determining dehydration in dogs via | | | | essential that your veterinarian perform the |
| the skin test is also difficult in overly skinny | | | | proper examinations and tests to determine the |
| (malnourished) or obese dogs. The skin of | | | | underlying cause. Only by doing so can you ensure |
| malnourished dogs, like the skin of older dogs, | | | | that your pet is healthy and avoid repeated |
| loses some of its elasticity. Accurately determining | | | | dehydration. |
| the level of dehydration is also difficult in obese | | | | Again, dehydration in dogs is a serious condition |
| dogs, since excessive skin fat can cause the skin | | | | that requires prompt attention by a veterinary |
| to return to normal even if the dog is dehydrated. | | | | profession. Do not take chances with your dog's |
| In such instances, check for dehydration by | | | | life. If at any time you suspect that your dog |
| feeling your dog's gums to see if they are dry | | | | might be dehydrated, immediately bring him to |
| and sticky. If so, then your dog is probably | | | | your veterinarian for diagnoses and treatment. |
| dehydrated. | | | | Legal Disclaimer |
| Bear in mind that even if your pet's skin snaps | | | | If your pet is showing any signs of distress or |
| back to normal immediately, he may still be | | | | you suspect your pet is seriously ill, contact your |
| dehydrated. This is because even pets that are | | | | veterinarian immediately . This information is not |
| dehydrated will have skin that immediately snaps | | | | meant to be a substitute for veterinary care. |
| back to normal if the pet is less than 5 percent | | | | |