Star Vets - Veterinary Team

Dehydration in Dogs

Now that the weather is heating up we must start to be more vigilant about the amount of water that our pets are drinking. Dehydration is a common emergency seen by our many vets here in the region.

Dehydration happens when your dog's body loses more water and electrolytes than they are taking in, subsequently causing severe issues with their internal organs, body temperature, joints, and digestion.

What to look for and the signs of dehydration

  1. Loss of elasticity in your dog's skin. If you pull lightly on your dog's skin and it doesn't readily go back to its original positions

  2. Dry Nose

  3. Loss of Appetite

  4. Gums lose their moistness and become dry & Sticky

  5. Constant Panting

In severe cases your dog's eyes may become sunken or your pet may collapse from shock.

Primary reasons for dehydration in dogs

  • Heatstroke (A very common reason in our climate)

  • Illness

  • Fever

  • Persistent vomiting or diarrhoea

  • Insufficient fluid intake.

Treatment

The first thing to do is call your vet for their advice, he/she may advise you to start offering the animal small amounts of water to begin the rehydration process in severe cases the animal will require an intravenous drip with fluids to rehydrate the dog.

If your dog is mildly dehydrated provide your dog with small amounts of water to drink every few minutes or offer your dog pieces of ice to lick. You could also provide your electrolyte replacement fluid to help replenish their lost minerals, which can be purchased from your local store or veterinary clinic.

It is important not to offer too much water all at once since this could cause your dog to vomit, causing even further dehydration. Even if your dog is suffering from a mild cause of dehydration it's a good idea to contact your vet for additional recommendations.

Prevention

To prevent your healthy dog from developing dehydration, always provide your pet with an easily accessible and ample supply of clean drinking water.

If your dog spends time outdoors in the hot weather, which some of our crazy animals do in Dubai.. eg the sunbathing Golden Retrievers!! We all own that one dog that no matter the heat likes to bathe in the sunlight..

Also, dogs that enjoy vigorous exercise will need extra amounts of water in order to stay hydrated. 

Dogs typically require at least one ounce of water per day for each pound of body weight. If you're unsure whether your dog is drinking enough, ask your vet for advice on how to ensure your dog consumes enough fluids.

If you have any questions or seek advice on dehydration then please do not hesitate to call Star Veterinary Clinic, where you can save up to 20% with the Treats Card membership.