Dehydration
Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when a dog loses body fluids faster than he can replace
them. Dehydration usually involves the loss of both water and electrolytes. In
dogs, the most common causes of dehydration are severe vomiting and diarrhea. Dehydration can also be caused by inadequate fluid intake, often associated with fever and severe illness. A rapid loss of fluids also occurs with heat
stroke (see page 42).
A prominent sign of dehydration is loss of skin elasticity. When the skin
along the back is pulled up, it should spring back into place. In a dehydrated
animal, the skin stays up in a ridge.
Another sign of dehydration is dryness of the mouth. The gums, which
should be wet and glistening, become dry and tacky. The saliva is thick and
tenacious. In an advanced case, the eyes are sunken and the dog exhibits signs
of shock, including collapse.
Treatment: A dog who is visibly dehydrated should receive immediate veterinary attention, including intravenous fluids, to replace fluids and prevent
further loss.
EMERGENCIES • 19
Loss of skin elasticity is a
sign of dehydration. Note
that this dog is getting
intravenous fluids, which
are extremely important
in serious cases.
For mild dehydration, if the dog is not vomiting you can give him an electrolyte solution by bottle or syringe into the cheek pouch (see How to Give
Medications, page 566). Balanced electrolyte solutions for treating dehydration in children, such as Ringer’s lactate with 5 percent dextrose in water or
Pedialyte solution, are available at drugstores and are also suitable for dogs.
Gatorade is another short-term substitute to help replace fluids. Administer
the solution at a rate of 2 to 4 ml per pound (1 to 2 ml per kilo) of body weight
per hour, depending on the severity of the dehydration (or as directed by your
veterinarian).
Treatment of dehydration in infant puppies is discussed in Dehydration,
page 493.
Dehydration occurs when a dog loses body fluids faster than he can replace
them. Dehydration usually involves the loss of both water and electrolytes. In
dogs, the most common causes of dehydration are severe vomiting and diarrhea. Dehydration can also be caused by inadequate fluid intake, often associated with fever and severe illness. A rapid loss of fluids also occurs with heat
stroke (see page 42).
A prominent sign of dehydration is loss of skin elasticity. When the skin
along the back is pulled up, it should spring back into place. In a dehydrated
animal, the skin stays up in a ridge.
Another sign of dehydration is dryness of the mouth. The gums, which
should be wet and glistening, become dry and tacky. The saliva is thick and
tenacious. In an advanced case, the eyes are sunken and the dog exhibits signs
of shock, including collapse.
Treatment: A dog who is visibly dehydrated should receive immediate veterinary attention, including intravenous fluids, to replace fluids and prevent
further loss.
EMERGENCIES • 19
Loss of skin elasticity is a
sign of dehydration. Note
that this dog is getting
intravenous fluids, which
are extremely important
in serious cases.
For mild dehydration, if the dog is not vomiting you can give him an electrolyte solution by bottle or syringe into the cheek pouch (see How to Give
Medications, page 566). Balanced electrolyte solutions for treating dehydration in children, such as Ringer’s lactate with 5 percent dextrose in water or
Pedialyte solution, are available at drugstores and are also suitable for dogs.
Gatorade is another short-term substitute to help replace fluids. Administer
the solution at a rate of 2 to 4 ml per pound (1 to 2 ml per kilo) of body weight
per hour, depending on the severity of the dehydration (or as directed by your
veterinarian).
Treatment of dehydration in infant puppies is discussed in Dehydration,
page 493.
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