is my puppy sick? dehydrated puppy?

by Jennifer

i have a 6 week old puppy. i was concerned about his water drinking. he eats when he's fed but when i put the water down he usually laps 2-5 times and he's done for a long time.

is there any physical signs that i could look for for dehydration?




Hi
If your puppy laps water and isn't vomiting or having diarrhea, chances are that he's getting what he needs. If he's a small or tiny breed pup, his fluid requirements will also be small. I'd advise making sure that he always has a bowl of water available for him to drink from if he's thirsty - not just giving him water at mealtimes.

Although dehydration is a serious condition and can cause real problems in puppies, and it's a good idea to be aware of the symptoms, it can be difficult to spot. The signs of dehydration are sort of vague, and can sometimes be difficult for an inexperienced owner to recognized. To add to the difficulty, they can also often be symptoms of other illnesses as well. By the time symptoms of dehydration are present, the puppy or dog is already seriously short of fluids, and needs veterinary help right away.

However, these are the most common symptoms that you may see in a dehydrated puppy......

Lethargy or extreme tiredness/listlessness

Loss of appetite

Sunken eyes. Dull, lifeless expression


Note: These 3 can also be symptoms of many dog illnesses and diseases in which dehydration is often seen.

Dry gums (a puppy's gums are normally 'slippery' and moist. In a puppy who is dehydrated the gums feel sort of like rubber and are not moist. Rub your finger across his gums to check) Also try putting pressure on the gums with your finger and then releasing it. The color (and blood) should flood back immediately. If it doesn't, then that can also be a sign of dehydration.


Skin loses elasticity. If you grab a handful of skin (gently!) over the pups shoulders and pull it up, when you let go it should slide right back into place. If it doesn't that can indicate dehydration. However, it's can be tricky to be sure with this test in pups as they have so much loose skin anyway!

If your pup seems happy, healthy and active and is eating normally, I doubt that he's dehydrated. BUT, if you're at all concerned, it's always best to talk with your vet and ask for advice.

Hope this helps. Best of luck with your puppy.