Treating a Dog For Dehydration
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Dehydration is caused when dogs loss to much body fluids. Minerals called electrolytes are also lost when the dog becomes dehydrated. Dehydration in dogs can cause some very serious health problems if left untreated. 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. Heat stoke is a common cause of dogs becoming dehydrated. Of course, other causes such as severe diarrhea, vomiting, and fevers can also cause dehydration
The first sign of dehydration will be the pet panting heavily. Other thing to check is the elasticity of the pet’s skin and the condition of the dog’s gums. Gently pinch a fold of skin on the dog’s head or neck and watch closely how the skin in question reacts. A healthy dog’s skin will quickly regain it’s former shape, while dehydrated skin doesn’t have the proper amount of fluid and will more slowly reform. The dog’s gums should be moist and slick. If a dog is dehydrated the gums will be sticky and dry.
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. IV fluids are a very important part of treatment in severely dehydrated dogs. 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.
Take it slow when you try to rehydrate a dog. Rather than using plain water, give the dog an electrolyte supplement. Pedialyte is a good choice for treatment, avoid sport drinks that have sugar as they can cause diarrhea. Dispense smaller amounts of fluid frequently rather than a single big amount of liquid. 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 waterproof dog bed.
Tags: avoiding dog dehydration, dog, dog advice, dog dehydration, dog dehydration care, dog health care, how to solve dog dehydration