Dehydration in animals is a serious matter! Dehydration can turn potentially life threatening if not dealt with quickly. Let us take a look at some of this keypoints.
If you think your animal is suffering from dehydration experts say the signs to look for are:
Lethargy (Lack of energy), irritability, listlessness, loss of appetite, decrease in the production of urine, the urine becomes darker and stronger smelling, and the eyes will appear sunken and dull. These are among the most common signs of dehydration in animals.
Dehydration in lactating dairy cows will almost always result in cessation of milk production. In pigs, signs include thirst, skin irritation, constipation, and lack of appetite. If not treated it is often followed by nervousness, blindness and apparent deafness.
Sometimes animals will show particular behaviors that are associated with dehydration. Here are a few signs to watch out for:
- Not finishing food ( most food contains moisture )
- Round, hard balls of manure
- Going after spills or other small areas of water
- Generalized fussing or noticeable discomfort
How to Test for Dehydration in Animals.
The simplest and most widely recommended way is the “Pinch test”. Grab with your thumb and forefinger and pull the animals skin away from their body, a well hydrated animal’s skin will return to a normal position within 1 second and an animal suffering from dehydration will have skin that will lack elasticity and stay in that peak position longer.
Another test to do is the gum test. Apply pressure to the gums, the color will fade and return quickly in a well hydrated animal. Dehydrated animals may take more than 2-3 seconds and their gums may also appear dry and lacks mucous.
What to do if your animal is dehydrated.
If your animal fails the “Pinch test” or displays dehydration symptoms, the possibility exists they are, or may become clinically dehydrated. You should take immediate steps and get them hydrated.
Get the animal out of the sun and into shelter. Make sure the animal has access to clean, high-quality water. If necessary, add electrolytes to the water which should expedite hydration. If the animal is refusing to drink, contact your vet immediately.
Dehydration is a very dangerous condition and things can get out of control quickly.
How do you prevent Dehydration in Animals?
How do you prevent Dehydration in Animals?It goes without saying that every animal should have access to clean, fresh water all day, every day. To prevent diseases the water shouldn’t be stagnant or dirty. The water should taste good ( not stinky ) and make sure the water is always accessible and in a place where the animal is comfortable drinking from.
As mentioned previously, monitor drinking habits. The amount of water varies greatly by species, but ever animal is different. Establish a baseline and take action if there’s a variation.
Just remember, a hydrated animal is a happy and health animal.