Dehydration can pose a serious risk to your pet. Every living thing needs water to survive, and your pet is no exception. At Silicon Valley Pet Clinic, in Santa Clara CA, we can help you avoid and treat dehydration in your pet. Here are some frequently asked questions about dehydration.
What Are the Signs of Dehydration?
If your pet is dehydrated, several signs could indicate a problem. Panting and lethargy are very common. Your pet is likely thirsty, especially in the first stages of dehydration. Their mouth and nose will also feel dry and their saliva will be thick. A loss of appetite is also common with dehydration. If you notice any of these symptoms, they need to be addressed.
What Causes Dehydration?
Dehydration is a lack of water in the body. It can be caused by several different things. Hot or humid weather is a common cause of dehydration. If your pet is hot, its body is going to lose water faster. So drinking their usual amount of water might not be enough. Illness can also cause dehydration, especially if your pet is vomiting or having diarrhea. Simply not drinking enough water can also cause dehydration. All of these things, or a combination of them, can risk your pet’s health.
How Can I Treat Dehydration?
Drinking water is not enough to treat dehydration. Your pet needs to see veterinarians for care at this point. The vet will examine your pet and test them to find the reason for the dehydration. By doing this, they can treat the underlying cause as well. However, first, they’ll treat the dehydration by providing subcutaneous or intravenous fluids. This will replace both the water and the lost electrolytes. Once your pet is stable, then they can address the cause of the dehydration.
How Can I Prevent Dehydration?
The most important step is making sure your pet drinks enough water. Provide plenty of fresh, clean water, and make sure that you change it regularly. This will encourage them to drink the water they need to stay healthy. If the weather is hot, give them extra water and keep a sharp eye out for signs of dehydration. That way, you can address it early.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Veterinarians in Santa Clara, CA
Dehydration can be very dangerous, so you must know how to avoid and handle it. At Silicon Valley Pet Clinic in Santa Clara CA, our veterinarians are here to help. Call us today at (408) 248-3844 for more information or to schedule an appointment with our veterinariain.