Dog Dehydration & Diarrhea

Dogs are a lot like humans; however, one major difference is that they cannot tell us when they are sick. Diarrhea is a sign that something may be wrong with your dog, and if left untreated, can lead to more serious problems like dehydration. As a responsible dog owner, it is up to you to notice signs that your dog is not well.

  1. Diarrhea

    • Dogs, especially puppies, can have diarrhea from time to time. Diarrhea does not always signify something serious, but should not be ignored. The frequency of your dog's diarrhea should be monitored, as should the consistency of the diarrhea. Take your dog to the veterinarian if he has diarrhea lasting longer than 24 hours, or if there is blood in it.

    The Vet

    • Before going to the veterinarian, put your dog's diarrhea into a bag and bring it with you. It will allow the doctor to test for what could be wrong, and will save you the trip of going back to get a sample. Tell the veterinarian everything and anything you have noticed since your dog had diarrhea. The more information she has, the more she can determine what is wrong, which will make the diagnosis easier.

    Water

    • It is crucial that your dog drinks water while she has diarrhea. Too much diarrhea and not enough water can lead to dehydration. Dehydration can make your dog more sick, causing vomiting or even death in serious cases. If your dog refuses to drink water, or is drinking less than he usually does, bring your dog to the veterinarian. He will have the tools to get the fluids into your dog.

    Signs of Dehydration

    • One way to tell if your dog is dehydrated is by pulling her skin away from the body. A healthy dog's skin will go right back to it's natural place on the body; a dehydrated dog's skin will stay in the pulled position and not go back to normal. A dry mouth is another sign of dehydration. Symptoms of dehydration will worsen if left untreated, so get your dog to a vet immediately.

    Medicine

    • Your veterinarian may give you medicine for your dog. Some dogs will not swallow pills easily, so you can hide it in your dog's food, or roll a piece of cheese around the pill. If your dog still will not swallow the pill, hold your dog's mouth open with one hand and place the pill at the back of her tongue with your other hand. Hold her mouth closed for several seconds, or until her tongue pokes through her closed mouth.