Dehydration is a serious condition in dogs that results when the pet loses body fluids excessively. Unlike humans, dogs have a very poor cooling system because their sweat glands are mostly found on the nose and on the footpads. Dogs can regulate body temperature by panting but excessive panting especially on very hot weather can result to dehydration.
To regulate body temperature, the dog would pant but in doing so, more body fluid will be lost. Strenuous exercises especially in very hot weather is one of the reasons why dogs get dehydrated. High fever and bouts of vomiting and diarrhea can result to dehydration too. Insufficient water and food intake is another cause of dehydration. Dehydration commonly occur in dogs with health concerns that turn away from food and water.
Urgent medical attention is necessary for dog dehydration cases as left untreated this condition can snuff the life of the pet. Electrolyte imbalance can occur if the dogs dehydration is not addressed immediately. When the bodys electrolytes get imbalanced, the kidneys, the liver and other vital organs are severely damaged often resulting to the death of the dog. A dehydrated dog would need first aid and medical attention. This is why a dog owner has to be able to recognize dehydration symptoms.
A dehydrated dog would pass either very little or too much amount of urine. Capillary refill time of dehydrated dogs will be very much delayed. The gums of the dog would blanche if compressed by a finger but normal color should return in a few seconds. A dehydrated dog would appear to be very weary. The pet would have sticky gums and sunken eyes as well. One sign of dehydration is the elasticity of the dogs skin as the skin would not spring back to the normal position when pulled up.
A severely dehydrated dog should not be treated at home as it would need more aggressive rehydration management that can only be done in an emergency veterinary clinic. Fluids are commonly administered intravenously. Generally, dogs that are severely dehydrated would not take in water and food thus the administration of intravenous fluids would be necessary. A dog owner has to administer first aid treatments if for some reasons the pet cannot have professional medical attention. Pedialyt, an electrolyte replacer that is given to infants can also be given to dogs. Although it would be necessary to replenish body fluids, the dog must not be allowed to drink lots of water as it could lead to vomiting that will worsen the dogs dehydration.
Sarahs Dogs provides more information on dehydration and first aid for dogs.
