Dehydration is caused when dogs loss to much body fluids. Not only water but also vital minerals can be lost in serious amounts when dehydration occurs. Dehydration is a very serious health risk when it occurs in any animal, dogs included. Since dogs are unable to sweat they release excess heat by panting. If a dog pants hard for a long time it can lead to dehydration.

The best way to handle dehydration is to avoid it altogether by making sure that plenty of water and adequate shelter are always available. These basic steps help ward off heat stroke, a problem closely related to dog dehydration. Of course, other causes such as severe diarrhea, vomiting, and fevers can also cause dehydration

Heavy panting is generally the first sign that a dog might be becoming dehydrated. Checking the condition of the dog’s skin and gums can also give an indication if dehydration is a serious risk. By gently pinching up a fold of skin on either the dog’s neck or head you can gauge how dehydrated the pet is. When a dog has plenty of fluids the fold of skin will return to its place very quickly, when the dog is dehydrated it will return slowly. A dehydrated dog’s gums tend to be sticky and dry, while a properly hydrated dog will have slick gums.

If the pet is showing signs of dehydration the first thing to do is to check the level of dehydration. More serious dehydration shouldn’t be handled by an amateur, so if the situation appears serious seek out a veterinarian immediately. Veterinarians can provide more advanced solutions like IV fluids which amateurs don’t have on hand. In serious cases the situation can be even worse than normal dehydration because drinking enough to correct the issue can be problematic - dogs drinking too much water will frequently vomit, making the situation even worse.

It is important to re-hydrate the dog slowly. If possible, use an electrolyte supplement rather than plain water. Pedialyte is a good choice for treatment, avoid sport drinks that have sugar as they can cause diarrhea. Give the dog small amounts of the fluid at very frequent intervals. If the dog is unable to drink on its own, use a medicine syringe and place the fluids in its mouth.

Taylor Martinerin writes on a variety of dog related topics, including how to select an outdoor dog bed or a large dog bed.

Tagged with: • • • • • •

Filed under: Dogs

Like this post? Subscribe to my RSS feed and get loads more!