Signs of dehydration in dogs

Dehydration is a disorder that can affect our dogs and is caused by multiple causes. It can occur in various degrees and its severity will depend on them, so it is important that all caregivers know what the signs of dehydration in dogs are , to pay them due attention, which usually includes veterinary treatment, since we are facing an imbalance life threatening. In this Blog article we will look at the most important aspects of this topic and we will show you how to tell if your dogis dehydrated.

Causes and symptoms of dehydration in dogs

Basically, dehydration occurs when our dog eliminates more fluids than it recovers, which causes an imbalance of fluids but also electrolytes. This situation affects the entire body and if the degree of dehydration is severe, the dog's life is in danger.

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The causes of dehydration in dogs are multiple, but they are very often associated with diseases in which fluids are lost through vomiting and/or diarrhea. Thus, whenever our dog presents this clinical picture, we must pay attention to its hydration status. Other pathologies such as kidney disease can also cause this imbalance, as well as emergencies such as heat stroke . Additionally, fever and serious illness can cause the dog to reduce its water intake, leading to dehydration.

To find out if a dog is dehydrated, we can carry out a simple check that consists of taking the skin from the area of ​​the withers between our fingers and pulling it carefully, separating it from the body a few centimeters. When released, in a healthy dog ​​the skin instantly recovers its shape. In a dehydrated dog, on the contrary, the skin takes time to return to its position, more or less time depending on the degree of dehydration, as we will see. Thus, this fold, which is nothing more than a sample of the elasticity of the skin, is one of the signs of dehydration in dogs, although we can find others such as the following:

• dry gums
• thick saliva
• dark urine
• In more severe cases, sunken eyes

In addition, it is common for the dog to present lethargy and anorexia.

Types and degrees of dehydration in dogs

Keep in mind that dehydration is a state that will not be reversed by giving the dog a bowl of water except in the case of really mild dehydration, such as if our dog has vomited a few times and has not had a drink for a few hours. or you haven't had enough water on a hot day. Precisely, vomiting and diarrhea are the most common causes of dehydration in dogs, since, in these episodes, it is normal for the dog to stop eating which, together with the loss of liquids, produces this clinical picture. However, as we have seen in the previous section, serious illnesses can also develop this situation.

If we observe signs of dehydration in the dog, we must go to our veterinarian to establish the exact diagnosis and its corresponding treatment, since it would be useless to provide it with plenty of water if we do not treat the primary cause of dehydration. There are several types of dehydration in dogs that are called isotonic , hypertonic , and hypotonic , depending on the amount of water lost relative to solute (electrolyte imbalance also occurs in dehydration). In addition, according to the severity, various degrees of dehydration in dogs are distinguished, which are the following:

• Less than 4% dehydration: this is the mildest case and we will not see any symptoms.
• Between 5-6%: with this percentage we will see that, if we check the skin, the fold takes a while to recover.
• Between 6-8%: in this situation it is evident, since the skin fold takes time to recover.
• Between 8-10%: in addition to the delay in the recovery of the skin, we will see dryness of the mucous membranes and sinking of the eyeballs.
• Between 10-12%: in addition to the above symptoms, the dog will begin to go into shock and we will see pale mucous membranes and cold extremities, among other symptoms.
• Between 10-15%: the shock is already severe and the dog is in imminent danger of death. More than 15% dehydration is considered incompatible with life.

 

Symptoms of dehydration in puppies

In younger dogs, but also in those that are in a vulnerable situation, such as older dogs or those with a disease, if we see any symptoms of dehydration, we should go to our veterinarian urgently. The smaller the puppy, the more risk it is if it suffers from dehydration, since it can die in a matter of hours. This is especially relevant in infants, as they can become weak to the point of stopping breastfeeding, which will aggravate the condition. These dehydrated puppies will present dry mouth, which we can notice if we offer them to suck a finger, general weakness and loss of tone. Also, if we take a fold of skin it will not recover its shape. For all these reasons, if an infant presents with diarrhea, a common cause of dehydration, we must seek immediate veterinary assistance.

How to treat dehydration in dogs

If we see signs of dehydration in our dog and the vet confirms that it has this problem, the most important thing is to determine its cause and establish a treatment that allows us to reverse the situation and, consequently, balance the body. The usual thing is to replace these fluids intravenously, for which the veterinarian will place a line, usually in one of the front legs of our dog, to administer fluids and electrolytes.

In mild cases, the serum can be prescribed subcutaneously, through injections under the skin or, in milder cases, and if there is no vomiting, it can be given orally, sometimes with a syringe, little by little, through the side of the mouth. When the administration is intravenous, the dog will require hospital admission for 24-48 hours. In younger dogs, in which it is difficult to place an IV, intraosseous administration of the serum may be necessary. It is important that it is the veterinarian who prescribes the amount of serum that our dog needs to recover its hydration, since it will depend on the weight and the severity of dehydration.

If, for whatever reason, we find ourselves in the middle of an emergency and we do not have access to a veterinarian, we can prepare a homemade solution, although it will be essential to go to the specialist as soon as possible.

 

How to hydrate a dog

As we have mentioned, the dehydration of a dog, except in very mild cases, will not be solved by offering it water to drink, but we can follow a series of measures to prevent signs of dehydration in our dogs, such as the following:

• Ensure the supply of water always, and that it is clean and fresh. This is especially important on the hottest days. If we are going to be absent, we have to make sure that the drinker cannot tip over, since this would mean that the animal would run out of water.
• Never leave it in a closed car in the sun, provide it with shade if you are outside during the hottest hours and avoid exercising during those same hours, as these situations predispose you to heat stroke.
• If our dog has a disease that increases its risk of dehydration, such as kidney disease, or has just gone through a condition that has dehydrated it, we must ensure that it drinks, for which, in addition to having one or more water bowls always clean and fresh, we can encourage it by offering ice cubes or broths. We can also change the feed for wet food, to increase fluid intake. And if nothing works, In addition, if we observe any of the aforementioned symptoms of dehydration in dogs, we should consult our veterinarian, especially if our dog is a puppy or suffers from any illness.
• Finally, as first aid if we find a dehydrated dog, we can offer him water, if he does not vomit, keep him in the shade if we suspect heat stroke and go immediately to the veterinarian.