If you're a parent, you may take frequent steps to ensure that your children stay properly hydrated—especially in the summer months. Giving them water bottles and encouraging them to sip water regularly can be helpful for hydration. For any dog owner, it's important to be just as vigilant about your pet's hydration. While you should always ensure that your dog has fresh drinking water that is easily accessible, you should also be attentive for warning signs of dehydration and be prepared to take the pet to the local veterinary hospital. A dog that becomes dehydrated can face a variety of health issues. Here are some symptoms of dehydration in a dog.
Dry Nose/Mouth
It's common to see a slightly wet nose when you look at your dog, and this is a sign of the animal being properly hydrated. While a dog's nose can look a little dry at times, it's a concern if you repeatedly notice that the nose is dry. Similarly, you might notice that the dog's mouth is dry. If it sometimes drools or has moisture around its lips, and this moisture has dried up, the dog is likely in the early stages of dehydration. You should contact your veterinary clinic to determine how to proceed. In serious cases, it may be necessary to visit the hospital so that your pet can get IV fluids to rehydrate.
Abnormal Panting
A lot of dogs pant at various times throughout the day. After a dog has finished a walk or playing fetch, for example, it might pant for a short duration. Abnormal panting can often be an indicator of dehydration. You might notice your dog panting even after it hasn't exerted itself—for example, while it's resting on its bed in your home. If the dog pants continuously, you should take this behavior as a warning sign of potential dehydration.
Loss Of Energy
If you've ever been even moderately dehydrated, you can likely recall that you felt a lack of energy. A similar situation is likely for a dog that is dehydrated. When your dog hasn't had enough to drink or has lost a lot of its fluids due to a hot environment or a lot of exertion, it will often act in a low-energy manner. It might not want to get off its bed, or it might walk very slowly when you take it outside.
If you've seen any indicators that your dog could be dehydrated, get in touch with your veterinary hospital.
I have never been in love with the idea of owning animals, but a few years ago my son came home with some puppies that he was already really attached to. He swore he would take good care of the animals, so I gave in and let him keep them. Unfortunately, one of them became ill, and I had to find a way to take care of the animal. I decided to visit a veterinarian for help, and we had a diagnosis in a treatment plan in no time. I was really surprised with how powerful veterinary care was, and it was phenomenal. Read this blog to learn more.