Dog dehydration is a dangerous condition that occurs when the pet loses excessive amounts of body fluids. The sweat glands of dogs are located on the nose and on the foot pads thus compared to humans, dogs have a very poor cooling system. The sweat glands cannot effectively dispel heat thus the dog would pant excessively but panting can result to dehydration as the essential body fluids are lost.
Panting is the dog's way of regulating body temperature but this process would result to loss of body fluids. Dogs can get dehydrated by running or doing strenuous exercises in very hot weather. High fever and bouts of vomiting and diarrhea can result to dehydration too. Another cause of dehydration is insufficient food and water intake. This is a condition most common in dogs that become ill and have turned away from food and water.
Dehydration is a serious condition that needs immediate medical attention lest it results to the death of the pet. Untreated dehydration can result to electrolyte imbalance. When the body's 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. A dog owner has to learn how to recognize the symptoms of dehydration.
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. If the dog's gums is compressed the normal color of the gums should return in seconds but if the dog is dehydrated, it would take a while before the normal color returns. Other signs would be sticky gums, sunken eyes and lethargy. A dehydrated dog's skin will lose its elasticity.
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. This condition is commonly resolved with intravenous fluids. Fluids are administered intravenously as due to weakness severely dehydrated dogs commonly would not want to take in water. Professional medical care would resolve the dog's dehydration but if it is impossible to take the pet to an animal clinic, the owner has to give first aid to the dog. One first aid method is to give the pet Pedialyt, a drink given to infants to replace electrolyte. 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 dog's dehydration.
Panting is the dog's way of regulating body temperature but this process would result to loss of body fluids. Dogs can get dehydrated by running or doing strenuous exercises in very hot weather. High fever and bouts of vomiting and diarrhea can result to dehydration too. Another cause of dehydration is insufficient food and water intake. This is a condition most common in dogs that become ill and have turned away from food and water.
Dehydration is a serious condition that needs immediate medical attention lest it results to the death of the pet. Untreated dehydration can result to electrolyte imbalance. When the body's 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. A dog owner has to learn how to recognize the symptoms of dehydration.
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. If the dog's gums is compressed the normal color of the gums should return in seconds but if the dog is dehydrated, it would take a while before the normal color returns. Other signs would be sticky gums, sunken eyes and lethargy. A dehydrated dog's skin will lose its elasticity.
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. This condition is commonly resolved with intravenous fluids. Fluids are administered intravenously as due to weakness severely dehydrated dogs commonly would not want to take in water. Professional medical care would resolve the dog's dehydration but if it is impossible to take the pet to an animal clinic, the owner has to give first aid to the dog. One first aid method is to give the pet Pedialyt, a drink given to infants to replace electrolyte. 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 dog's dehydration.
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