Last week I attended a veterinary seminar on IV fluid therapy. We reviewed when to start intravenous fluids, how much, and which kinds to give depending on the pet’s illness and blood test results.
I was reminded about how important water intake and basic hydration status can affect the health of our pets and us. If Fido or Fluffy become just 5% dehydrated, it is significant. And that can happen easily on a hot day without fresh water to drink, or with diarrhea and vomiting. When they get to 8% dehydrated, they are seriously dehydrated, and we need to intervene quickly.
Most of the time, my patients can drink water and stay hydrated. I was taught “if the gut works, use it.” Sometimes we give fluids subcutaneously instead of oral or intravenous. But I don’t hesitate to go IV if I have to. Staying hydrated all the time is critical to life.
Drinking plenty of water is also very important for my older patients with kidney disease, diabetes, bladder infection, or bladder stones. I talk to owners every day about this.
http://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/common-conditions/warning-signs-dehydration-dogs/
I was pondering this as I was flattened by kidney stone pain a few days later. I have passed numerous kidney stones in the last 10 years, and I know I need to stay hydrated and drink lots of water, but I fail sometimes. I like tea and coffee which are diuretic, and they can leave me a little dehydrated.
We are fortunate in Lewisville to have outstanding local water, rated “Superior Public Water Supply,” so I can’t blame the tap water or justify buying bottled water. Good old tap H20 should be just what the doctor ordered to prevent more stones. But I struggle following my own advice.
https://www.cityoflewisville.com/about-us/departments-services/public-services/water-production
The bottom line is pets and humans need to stay hydrated. So watch your pet’s water consumption and urination. Make sure they have access to fresh water at all times. And if they aren’t drinking normally, or having losses like vomit and diarrhea, bring them in immediately. Dehydration is serious, but sometimes we just have to add water.
