Dog Dehydration
Definition of Dehydration
Dehydration in dogs is a condition that occurs when the dog's body loses more water than it takes in. In other words, dehydration occurs when fluid losses in urine and through the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts exceed fluid intake.
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Dehydration can be caused by a number of different disorders, diseases and conditions. To generalize, dehydration can be caused by reduced water (and food) intake or by increased water loss. Anything that causes inflammation or irritation of any part of the gastrointestinal tract, from the oral cavity to the rectum, can contribute to dehydration from fluid loss, including bacterial, viral or fungal infections, ulcers, excessive salivation, panting, gastrointestinal parasites and gastrointestinal obstruction. Vomiting and diarrhea
Dehydration causes an abnormal reduction in the volume of circulating blood. This has a number of adverse consequences, many of which are related to imbalances in the levels of electrolytes in fluids that normally are contained inside and outside of cells (intracellular and extracellular fluids). Electrolytes are natural chemical substances which, when dissolved in water or melted, dissociate into electrically charged particles called “ions”. Ions can be negatively or positively charged and can conduct electrical
A moderately to substantially dehydrated dog will not feel well. It is not particularly difficult for a veterinary professional to diagnose dehydration, although there currently is no reliable test or procedure that can accurately measure the degree of dehydration. It can be much more challenging – and ultimately much more important - to figure out why the dog has become dehydrated. Once the underlying cause of the dog’s condition is determined, attempts can be made
The therapeutic goals for treating a dehydrated dog are to replace its normal fluid volume, correct any electrolyte abnormalities and identify and resolve the underlying cause(s) of dehydration. Electrolytes are natural chemical substances which are essential to the normal function of all cells in the body.A moderately to severely dehydrated dog should be placed on intravenous fluid replacement therapy, probably with an isotonic crystalloid solution, on an in-patient basis. Typical fluid choices might include Normosol