Dehydration is a frequent problem in dogs because it can occur for several reasons, in addition to being more dangerous than we may think at first. This occurs when the dog loses more fluid than it takes in. There are certain pathologies where dehydration is a serious symptom, since if it is not treated quickly it can end the life of your faithful friend.
In this oneHOWTO article we want to help you recognize the symptoms of this problem, as well as the situations that it can trigger. Keep reading and find out everything about the dehydration in dogs and also of how to make homemade dog serum, since in the face of this problem it could be of great help to know how to prepare an emergency one and easily.
What is dog serum for?
The dog serum It basically serves to help hydrate them, thus reducing the symptoms of dehydration and the problems that it produces in the body. You should know that if dehydration has appeared due to a disease such as parvovirus or distemperIt will take more than just administering serum to the dog, which will be dealt with by the vet. Here you can learn How to know if a dog has parvovirus and How to know if a dog has distemper.
The serum can be administered orally, subcutaneously, or intravenously. Of the subcutaneous serum for dogs and from intravenous serumare normally carried out by the veterinarian or ATV (Veterinary Technical Assistant), the oral serum you can administer it yourself, always consulting a veterinarian before the guidelines to follow.
Dehydration in dogs: causes and symptoms
You have to know how to recognize dehydration symptoms, since the treatment is easy if it is detected in time. These symptoms are the following:
- Dry gums and / or tongue.
- Pale mucous membranes. This is very easy to see on the gums, as in the image below.
- Dejection.
- Lethargy.
- Loss of hydration and elasticity in the skin. By pinching you will see that the skin remains marked, like a wrinkle, instead of returning to its normal state.
Versus vomiting or diarrhea in dogs and that they are abundant, it is common for the dog to lose a lot of fluid and become dehydrated, as well as in the case of heat stroke in dogs, which happens when the temperatures are too high.
Another way to find out if a dog is dehydrated is to check its capillary fill time or capillary filling. To check this, lift your friend’s lips, that is, his lips, and press on his gums: if it takes more than two seconds for them to return to their pink color, it is a sign that he could be dehydrated. In addition, if the gums are pale pink or white, it is an unequivocal symptom of dehydration, since the blood can no longer circulate well in the area.
In this other oneHOWTO post we talk more about How to tell if a dog is dehydrated.
Image: dogshowpictures.net
How to make homemade dog serum step by step
As we have mentioned before, when faced with dehydration, the dog will need fluids, which will be achieved by giving him serum, although other fluids such as natural water and natural chicken broth can also be offered.
In any pharmacy you can buy serum suitable to administer to your dog, but you should always consult a vet about this first. If you do not have the possibility of acquiring serum, you have to know that you can make it yourself oral serum for dogs. We tell you step by step!
Ingredients
- 3 tablespoons of sugar.
- 1 liter of natural mineral water.
- Juice of half a lemon.
- 1 teaspoon of salt.
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda.
Preparation
- Boil a liter of water.
- When the water comes to a boil, turn off the heat and pour the water into a container, such as a large bowl.
- Add all the missing ingredients and stir well.
- Finally, when it is at room temperature, offer it to your dog as a substitute for water.
This serum will be effective for 24 hours, so after these hours you will have to remove what you have not drunk.
How to give home serum to my dog
Normally, there is usually no problem when giving the oral serum to the dog, but you must bear in mind that you should always see a vet with any symptoms of dehydration, since there are many diseases that can cause this problem and many are not solved just by giving this support.
When you prepare the serum following the instructions above, put the container within reach of your dog and invite him to drink. You can try to give your con a syringe if he refuses to drink, but going to the vet with this problem is essential, especially when it reaches the point that he does not drink by himself.
If the dehydration is severe, the animal is very down, vomits or has diarrhea, you should go to the vet urgently to administer intravenous serum immediately, as it acts faster than the oral one.
Other remedies for a dehydrated or sick dog
You have to keep in mind that your dog always has to have water at your disposal throughout the daya, also on summer days or high temperatures it is even more necessary to hydrate your dog well, always carrying water and a container so that he can drink.
There is a drink called Pedialyte for dogs which serves to hydrate your friend during and after illness. We recommend choosing the most natural flavor of this drink, but if you do not like the taste of this drink you can try mixing it with a little Homemade Chicken Broth, which is also very beneficial for dehydrated and sick dogs.
You can also give him blocks or ice cubes in summer, since sometimes they refuse to drink on their own and, in this way, they begin to play a little and moisten their mouths and, usually, shortly after they drink water, although if they do not do it, the ice itself will help them both to hydrate and to regulate its temperature.
If you want to read more articles similar to How to make homemade dog serum, we recommend that you enter our category of Pets.