Electrolytes for Dogs: Understanding the Benefits
Maintaining proper hydration and electrolyte balance is as important for the health of your dog as it is for human children. Water makes up the majority of the body composition of both dogs and humans, so staying hydrated is vital for normal cellular and organ function.
Water is also the main component of blood, which helps carry important molecules, such as oxygen, to every cell in a dog’s body. Furthermore, water maintains blood pressure and helps flush toxins out of the body as the kidneys filter the bloodstream.
Electrolytes are essential to preserve water balance as well as aid electrical impulses in a dog’s muscles and nervous system.
Key electrolytes for dogs include sodium, potassium, and chloride. These electrolytes are primarily kept in balance by the kidneys and a complex hormonal system known as the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS). This balance can become thwarted due to disease processes, such as gastrointestinal upset.
Let’s take a closer look at how each of these electrolytes functions in a dog’s body:
Sodium is integral for water balance. The body loses sodium because of persistent vomiting and diarrhea, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and endocrine disorders such as hypoadrenocorticism (Addison’s disease). When sodium levels drop too low (known as hyponatremia), dehydration occurs. Severe hyponatremia can cause neurological impairment due to swelling of the brain.
Potassium is fundamental for a dog’s muscle and cardiac contractions. Hypokalemia, or low potassium concentration in the blood, may arise due to poor appetite, CKD, and vomiting. Weakness, incoordination, and poor muscle action result.
Chloride is sodium’s buddy. It tends to follow and bind to sodium as the salt NaCl. Chloride balances sodium and potassium in cellular electrical activities.
These three electrolytes are vital for complex bodily processes, which help keep our pets healthy.
When your dog has lost a significant amount of fluid and electrolytes through either vomiting or diarrhea, he may show signs of dehydration.
Dehydration in dogs can range from mild to severe. In any case, you should contact your veterinarian for advice on what to do if your pup is showing any of the following symptoms of dehydration in dogs:
Dehydration in dogs is considered a medical emergency when you notice persistent vomiting, diarrhea, and suspected heat stroke. Don’t wait to bring your dog to the vet in this case. Resolving dehydration in your dog can be as simple as replenishing his electrolytes through fluids, but it can also point to other, more significant health problems your vet can detect.
Now that you know how important electrolytes are for our dogs’ health and the signs of dehydration to look out for, you may wonder if your dog can drink Pedialyte safely.
It’s typically safe to administer small amounts of the classic, unflavored Pedialyte solution orally to dogs on a short-term basis to help replenish fluids and electrolytes lost via mild vomiting or diarrhea.
However, Pedialyte is only a supportive therapy to help manage the symptoms associated with dehydration and electrolyte depletion. It does not stop ongoing fluid losses and is not a cure for underlying disease processes. It also won’t correct severe dehydration in dogs or treat significant electrolyte imbalances.
If a pet is sick and dehydrated enough to require Pedialyte, she should really see a veterinarian for treatment, including more effective means of hydration therapy, such as injectable fluid administration. Therefore, only give Pedialyte to your dog under the direct guidance of your personal veterinarian.
When Will a Vet Recommend Pedialyte for My Dog?
Your veterinarian might permit at-home Pedialyte use for mild, self-resolving cases of vomiting or diarrhea. However, other veterinary-approved electrolyte replacements may prove better options.
At other times, your vet may instruct you to avoid Pedialyte altogether, as it may worsen gastrointestinal illness or delay other treatments. For instance, your vet may recommend withholding food and liquids for several hours to help calm the stomach if your dog is vomiting. In this instance, Pedialyte use may trigger more vomiting by further irritating an already inflamed stomach lining.
Pedialyte is not a cure for puppies (or dogs) with parvovirus, which causes severe vomiting and bloody diarrhea as well as destruction of red and white blood cells and even death. To improve prognosis, seek veterinary care for your sick puppy before being administering Pedialyte at home.
Diagnosis of Electrolyte Disturbance in Dogs
Electrolyte levels will be determined with a blood test. This will show the degree of hypophosphatemia, as well as abnormal levels of other electrolytes, especially calcium. The veterinarian will try to identify the underlying cause of the imbalance by testing for other conditions like diabetes and high parathyroid hormone levels. Concurrent symptoms, like vomiting or diarrhea, may help to determine the source of the problem. Other tests could focus on potential infections, autoimmune responses, kidney dysfunction or Cushing’s disease. X-rays or ultrasound could be necessary if a cancerous tumor is causing hormone imbalance, or to identify weak bones or fracture.
The veterinarian will need to know your dog’s medical history including any prior or current medications, especially insulin, diuretics, or corticosteroids. Dietary deficiency is most common with homemade diets, so the vet may ask what type of food your pet normally eats. Any history of starvation or potential poisoning will also be relevant.
Can Dogs Have Pedialyte? | Can I Give My Dog Pedialyte? | Is Pedialyte Safe For Dogs?
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If you’ve ever been active outside on a hot day, you know that seemingly unquenchable thirst that comes from a combination of sweating and insufficient water intake. Whether running, playing sports, hiking or otherwise taking in the great outdoors, staying hydrated is a theme that’s been preached to us by our moms, coaches, and doctors since before we could say “ultra-marathon”.
When it comes to your canine companions, however, hydration may not be quite the same cup of tea…errr…Gatorade. While all living beings, from humans to cats to mice to dogs, need to stay hydrated in order to live, it turns out that the individual requirements can differ greatly between species. If you plan on taking Fido along on your next warm, weekend hiking adventure, or want to be prepared in case your dog suffers from dehydration at a later date, read on. We break down electrolyte drinks such as Gatorade, as well as other specifics to doggy water needs.
