If you’ve never heard of canine water intoxication, you’re about to learn about a crucial subject for maintaining your dog’s health.
You may have noticed that your dog is drinking a lot, and you may be wondering why dogs drink so much water.
Alternatively, perhaps your dog simply enjoys drinking water from the sprinkler or pond nearby, and you are concerned that he is doing so excessively.
Why it occurs, how to diagnose it, and how to treat dog water intoxication properly
Kidney Or Liver Diseases
Diarrhea is typically a symptom of kidney and liver disease in canines. Toxic ingestion, bacterial infection, parasitic infection, and cancer are the most frequent causes of kidney disease.
Weight loss, nausea, loss of appetite, fatigue, and blood in the urine are additional signs that are frequently linked to these medical conditions. The quantity of urine the dog passes may occasionally change or increase.
Distemper, Parvovirus, and other rotaviruses are some typical viral diseases in dogs that are connected to diarrhea that smells bad.
The majority of viral illnesses that affect dogs are contagious and potentially fatal. Other signs of viral illnesses include fever, lethargy, vomiting, nausea, and coughing.
If you notice any of the aforementioned symptoms in your furry friend, it would be best to take them for a medical examination.
A Sudden Change In Diet
A dog’s stomach may upset or experience other issues with the intestinal tract as a result of a sudden change in diet, which may then result in diarrhea. Consequently, it is never advised to suddenly switch your dog’s food—especially if it is a puppy!
In order to transition your dog’s diet smoothly, the general rule is to introduce new foods gradually. This is unquestionably the most effective method for assisting your pup’s stomach and intestines to adapt without having to deal with serious transitional issues.
It typically takes two weeks to transition from kibble to hard food (or from semi-solid food to hard food). In case you are unsure of how to proceed, don’t be afraid to ask your veterinarian for assistance with a transition plan!
Despite how repulsive it may sound, dogs frequently have intestinal parasites.
Roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms are examples of parasites that can be acquired from contaminated water sources and animal feces.
The poor pup becomes malnourished as a result of these parasites’ growth and multiplication inside the dog’s digestive system.
When a dog has worms, it is also typical for it to have frothy, greasy diarrhea, in addition to other signs like vomiting, listlessness, a swollen stomach, and sitting down abruptly at random times.
See our in-depth articles on the significance of deworming your puppy or pregnant dog for more information.
How Is Water Intoxication in Dogs Treated?
Treatment for canine water intoxication is a critical situation that needs to be attended to by a veterinarian right away.
Electrolytes will likely be given intravenously to your dog while they are in the hospital, along with medications like diuretics to prevent any brain or body swelling.
Even though canines can become water-intoxicated quickly, it can take some time to reverse the signs and restore the body’s normal electrolyte balance.
As a healthy electrolyte balance is restored, your dog may need to stay in the hospital for a day or more to be monitored.
Water intoxication in dogs is far too frequently fatal in the absence of prompt, appropriate veterinary care.
FAQ
Why does my dog have diarrhea after drinking water?
Simple things like drinking their water too quickly, especially on hot days or after a hectic game, can cause this. If this only occasionally occurs, there may be no cause for concern; however, if it consistently occurs, there is probably a health problem with your dog.
What is the most common cause of diarrhea in dogs?
Eating garbage or spoiled food. Ingestion of foreign objects such as toys, bones, and fabric. Ingesting toxins or poisons. Viral infections such as parvovirus, distemper or coronavirus.
How do you know if your dog drank too much water?
- lethargy.
- bloating.
- vomiting.
- loss of coordination (including stumbling, falling, or staggering)
- restlessness.
- drooling.
- pale gums.
- dilated pupils.
How much water is too much water for a dog?
Over 50ml/kg/24 hours may be suspicious of polydipsia, but over 100ml/kg/24 hours is unmistakably polydipsia. Polyuria refers to an abnormally high urine production. Why is my dog or cat drinking so much water?.