How long does it take for a dog to get over dehydration?

Dehydration is a common emergency seen by our vets here at Animal Emergency Center in Memphis. 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.

Dehydration in Dogs

All mammals, humans and dogs alike, rely on water to keep their bodies functioning properly. In fact, water plays a vital role in the functioning of virtually every body function. When your dog is losing more water and electrolytes than they are taking in, dehydration occurs and your dog's body will begin to breakdown.

Dehydration in dogs is a very serious concern that can lead to kidney failure, loss of consciousness, and in extreme cases, death.

How Dehydration Happens

Your dog's body will naturally lose water throughout the day simply through panting, breathing, urinating, defecating, and evaporation through their paws. This loss of fluids and electrolytes is then compensated for when your dog eats and drinks.

If your pup's body reaches the point where their fluid intake is less than the amount they are losing, their body's blood flow and the volume of fluids is reduced, which reduces the delivery of oxygen to your pet's organs and tissues.

Electrolytes are naturally occurring minerals that humans and dogs need to keep their bodies healthy. Electrolytes include sodium, chloride, and potassium which help to balance the body’s pH, move nutrients into cells, facilitate muscle function, and regulate nerve function.

Symptoms of Dehydration in Dogs

The most common and easiest to spot symptom of dehydration is the 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 position, your dog is likely suffering from dehydration!

Xerostomia is another sign of dehydration in dogs. Xerostomia is when your pet's gums lose moistness and become dry and sticky, and your dog's saliva becomes thick and pasty. Other symptoms of dehydration include loss of appetite, panting and dry nose. In severe cases your dog's eyes may become sunken or your pet may collapse from shock.

The Primary Causes of Dehydration

Your dog could become dehydrated for a number of reasons including heat stroke, illness, fever, persistent vomiting or diarrhea, and insufficient fluid intake.

Immediate Treatment if Your Dog Becomes Dehydrated

If your dog is displaying symptoms of shock, heat stroke, or severe dehydration, call your veterinarian immediately. Your vet may advise you to begin offering your dog small amounts of water to begin the rehydration process while you are on your way to their office. Treatment for dogs suffering from this level of dehydration is re-hydration using intravenous fluids.

If your dog is severely dehydrated immediate emergency care is essential! Contact your closest animal emergency center for advice and to let them know you are on your way.

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 dog with Ringer's lactate (an electrolyte replacement fluid) to help replenish their lost minerals. 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.

Preventing Your Dog from Becoming Dehydrated

If your dog is suffering from continuous or severe bouts of vomiting and diarrhea contact your vet to book an examination in order to determine the underlying cause. Severe vomiting and diarrhea can be a symptom of a number of serious conditions and requires immediate attention. To help keep your dog hydrated while they are experiencing these symptoms offer your pet an electrolytic solution until they feel better. If the symptoms continue IV fluids may be the only way to prevent the serious side effects of dehydration.

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, or enjoys vigorous exercise, they 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 your dog is showing symptoms of severe dehydration, contact your primary care veterinarian immediately. Outside of your vet's regular hours contact Animal Emergency Center in Memphis. Our vets offer emergency care to pets, on evenings, weekends and on major holidays. 

With the summer months just around the corner, it’s once again important to learn how to tell when your dog is dehydrated. Dogs are prone to developing symptoms of dehydration quickly, even under normal circumstances, and they can become very sick very fast from dehydration as well.

In the article below, you’ll find more information about what to expect from a dehydrated dog. You’ll learn about symptoms of mild, moderate, and severe dehydration so you can respond appropriately when you notice these in your own pet. Read on to find out more and learn when to seek emergency vet care.

Symptoms of Mild Dehydration in Dogs

Some mild symptoms of dog dehydration include, but aren’t limited to:

Dry Nose

A dry nose is an early sign of dehydration, although it can also be a sign of other problems, such as a fever. Dogs with a dry nose should be offered water right away to help combat any other worsening symptoms associated with dehydration, and they should be monitored closely as well.

Excessive Drooling

Dogs who are dehydrated may start to drool excessively. This is because they are trying to cool down their bodies through the best method they have. Excessive drooling is any type of drooling that is not normal for your dog.

Lethargy

Dogs who are suffering from even mild dehydration may become lethargic. They may not feel like moving around much and may simply rest until they are able to rehydrate again. If your dog’s dehydration is mild, offer cool, clean water so he can rehydrate on his own time.

Sticky Gums

This symptom is on the verge of the moderate stage of dehydration, but it is still generally considered a mild one. If your dog’s gums are sticky, however, watch for signs of worsening dehydration.

Symptoms of Moderate Dog Dehydration

Moderate symptoms of dehydration to look out for in your dog are:

Loss of Elasticity of the Skin

When you pull up on the skin of your dog’s back, it should spring back into place right away. If it takes several seconds to sink back to its normal position, then your dog is likely moderately dehydrated. Even vets usually use this test to check for the dehydration level of pets.

Loss of Appetite

Dogs who are at the moderate stage of dehydration may lose their appetite. You may be unable to tempt your dog with even his favorite treats, and this can be a sign that he’s dealing with a more serious problem. If he also won’t drink water, he needs to go to the vet.

Thick Saliva

If your dog’s saliva thickens, this is a sure sign of dehydration. It is a moderate symptom that is moving toward the severe category, so your dog should be watched very closely at this point. Provide plenty of fresh, clean water.

Dry Gums

Dry gums may occur if your dog had sticky gums in the first stage of dehydration. If your dog’s gums become dry, it’s time to think about taking him to the vet, especially if he is showing any other symptoms from the moderate list or if his existing symptoms are getting worse instead of better.

Symptoms of Severe Dehydration in Dogs

If your dog is experiencing these severe symptoms of dehydration, you should seek immediate veterinary care:

Vomiting

Dogs who are very dehydrated begin vomiting from the condition. Unfortunately, this vomiting then causes them to become even more dehydrated. If your dehydrated dog is vomiting, you need to take him to the emergency vet immediately and do not wait, as he may become much worse very quickly.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea may or may not occur in dehydrated dogs, but it is common in dogs who are also vomiting. Just like vomiting, it can make your dog’s dehydration worse almost instantly, so he needs to go to the emergency vet right away if he is having diarrhea too.

Excessive Panting

Excessive panting means that you can see your dog’s sides heaving as he struggles to breathe. He will likely have his tongue out as well. If your dog is having this much difficulty breathing, he needs emergency vet care without waiting. The sooner you take him in, the better his chances will be.

This is particularly important in short-nosed breeds such as bulldogs, pugs and Boston terriers.

Sunken Eyes

Dehydration causes the body to redistribute fluid to keep more essential organs supplied with blood. One place where fluid is often pulled from is the eyes. If your dog’s eyes appear to be sitting further back in their head, it may be a sign of severe dehydration.

Call VEG If Your Dog is Dehydrated

If you believe your pet is showing signs of dehydration, don’t panic! Remember this list and look for signs and symptoms of dehydration in your pet to determine when it’s time to go to the emergency vet.

One common mistake is to aggressively force feed water. When doing this, there is a chance the dog can choke, which can lead to more serious problems like pneumonia. Instead, try offering them a bowl of water and call VEG to speak to a doctor for advice.

With plenty of locations nationwide, VEG is dedicated to providing high quality emergency care to every pet that comes through our door. All of our locations are open 24 hours on weekends and holidays, with most open 24 hours every day of the year. We understand how serious dog dehydration is, and we’ll help get to the bottom of what’s causing it to be able to provide the best treatment option.

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The only thing better than a trip to the beach is a trip to the beach with your pup! If you’re planning an excursion with your four-legged family member, check out our 7 dog beach tips to increase their safety (without taking away the fun). While it might seem silly to expect any dangers at the beach of all places, there are a few things that could put your dog’s health at risk.

We’ll discuss those risks below, and provide some helpful dog beach tips to minimize those risks. Read on to make your dog’s day at the beach the best one ever!

Common Hazards for Dogs at the Beach

Before discussing the best dog beach tips to help keep them safe, it’s important that you’re made aware of some of the dangers that can be present at the beach. The following beach hazards can be easily taken for granted. Keep them in mind when you’re planning a beach trip with your canine!

Hot Sun

A hot, sunny day is the best kind of day for the beach, but it also puts your pet at risk for heat exhaustion, heatstroke, and sunburn. Dogs that are overweight and dogs with flat noses (like English Bulldogs, Pugs, and Frenchies) are especially prone to heat exhaustion and heatstroke.

Hot Sand

Hot sand can severely burn your pet’s paw pads. Walking on hot sand can also raise your pet’s body temperature and put them at risk for heat exhaustion or heatstroke.

Sharp Objects in the Sand

Depending on the beach you go to, the sand might be concealing some sharp objects, such as stones, shells, glass, and/or twigs.

Eating Sand

Some dogs just like to eat everything. If your pup often acts like a furry vacuum cleaner, they might try to eat the sand, which can become impacted in their intestines.  

Dehydration

Unless your pet has fresh water available to them while they’re at the beach, they could be at risk for dehydration. Hot sun, hot sand, and no water to drink can quickly lead to dehydration and heat exhaustion.

Strong Currents

Your dog might be a champion swimmer, but even they could be at risk for drowning if they encounter a strong current. Rip currents are especially dangerous, for animals and humans alike.

7 Dog Beach Tips to Protect Your Pup

You know the risks. Now, here’s what you can do to make your pet’s day at the beach as safe and enjoyable as possible! Review these dog beach tips and plan your excursion accordingly!

7 dog beach tips to keep in mind include:

1. Bring Along Plenty of Fresh Water

Think about how long you and your pet will be hanging out at the beach, and bring enough fresh water to sustain you both for the duration (and then some, if you decide to stay longer). Your dog needs to stay hydrated—and ocean or lake water is unsafe for their consumption.

2. Invest in Pet-Friendly Sunscreen

That’s right—dogs benefit from sunscreen, too, especially if they have light, fine fur and pinkish skin. Sunburn can affect your pup’s nose, ears, and other areas where hair is sparse.

3. Have a Source of Shade Available for Your Pup

Another dog beach tip to consider is to make sure that there are areas of shade for your dog to go into in order to help escape the sun.

Dogs can overheat quickly on a warm day, and at the beach, the sun’s heat is amplified. Help your pup stay cool by bringing along a large umbrella, or make sure to find a place under an awning or tree where your pet can get a break from the sun.

4. Keep Your Dog Leashed (If Required)

Does your beach have leash rules? Make sure to follow them. Unleashed pets can cause trouble, especially if there are lots of people and other dogs around. Plus, being leashed can prevent your dog from potentially being attacked by another dog or stealing sweets from someone’s picnic.

Also, keeping your pet leashed can prevent them from running into the water and possibly swimming out into strong currents.

5. Bring a Life Jacket for Your Pet

If the beach you’re visiting allows dogs in the water, one of the most important dog beach tips is to make sure your pet has a lifejacket (in their size). Even natural swimmers like Labradors can be at risk of drowning, so be sure to suit up your pup before they dive in, and stick with them to keep them safe.  

6. Know the Signs of Heatstroke

Heatstroke can affect dogs even under conditions milder than a typical summer’s day. Overexertion and insufficient water intake can quickly overwhelm your pet.

If you see any of these signs, your pup might be in danger of dog heatstroke and they should see a vet or emergency vet as soon as possible:

• Drooling (and saliva is thick and heavy)
• Panting heavily (a sign your pet is trying hard to cool off)
• Acting disoriented and confused
• Lethargic, weak
• Collapsing, unable to stand
• Vomiting
• Rapid heart rate

7. Protect Your Pet’s Feet with Booties

And now for our last (but no less important) dog beach tip! If your pup is likely to encounter hot sand or sharp objects at the beach, get dog booties in their size to protect their paws from cuts and burns. Consider trying them out before your beach excursion to make sure they fit, and to help your dog get comfortable with them.

Need More Dog Beach Tips? 

Veterinary Emergency Group is always happy to answer questions and help pet parents be amazing caregivers to their canines. We hope our dog beach tips come in handy when you start making your summer plans, but if you need more information, feel free to contact the VEG location nearest you! Our locations are open 24/7 for your convenience, and an emergency vet will always be there to answer your call and your questions.