Dehydration
Excess loss of water from the body or inappropriate intake of water into the body.
What to Do
** If moderate or severe, seek veterinary attention.
** If mild, give frequent, small amounts of water by mouth.
** Move the pet to a cool (not cold) environment to help reduce panting.
What NOT to Do
** Do not allow the pet to have immediate free access to water or other liquid.
** Do not feed him any dry food.
Dehydration often accompanies vomiting, diarrhea, hypothermia, fever, no access to water, and other conditions. It can be detected by several tests:
Mouth: Are the tongue and gums moist or dry? If they are dry, the pet may be dehydrated. Is the saliva thick or ropy? Normally, saliva is quite watery and hardly noticeable.
Eyes: Are they normal, or do they sink into the sockets? Sunken or dry eyes may indicate dehydration, and warrant veterinary attention.
Skin: Do the skin turgor test outlined in the Physical Exam Checklist. If the skin is slow to return to position, the animal is at least 5% dehydrated. If the skin does not return fully to its position, the animal is 10% to 12% dehydrated and is likely in critical condition.