F145
Dehydration in Mature Animals

Introduction: When compared to calves, adult animals tend to dehydrate at a slower rate, yet require larger volumes of fluid to rehydrate. With this in mind, the tables and information on page F143 can be used as a basic guide. Realize that dehydration decreases the animal’s ability to distribute medications and nutrients throughout the body.

Clinical Signs: The following list identifies some of the more common signs of dehydration. Not every animal will experience all of the symptoms.

  1. Sunken eyes
  2. Skin remains tented
  3. Dry nose
  4. Weakness
  5. Pale, dry gums
  6. Capillary refill time can be longer than 2 seconds (see page B105)

* See page B115 for additional information on dehydration and skin tent.

Additional Diagnostics:
  1. Drawing blood and running a CBC with the help of a veterinarian.

Treatment:
  1. If dehydration is severe, IV fluids are the best option. These can be given using an IV catheter or an IV bell. Depending on the severity of the dehydration, 5 to 20 liters of fluid may be required for an adult animal. Consult a veterinarian for specifics.
  2. 500 mL of hypertonic saline can also be given if the dehydration is severe. This is given IV along with 3-5 gallons of water administered orally. Make sure that plenty of drinking water is always available.
    *Never give hypertonic saline without supplying additional fluids!
  3. For less severe cases of dehydration, oral fluids may be sufficient. In most cases, 3-5 gallons of water, along with some type of electrolyte every 4-6 hours, is recommended (see page B885).

Prevention: Dehydration can be prevented when careful attention is given to an animal that is sick, injured, or under severe stress (drought, cold and hot extremes, etc.). Any animal that has diarrhea or another disease that causes fluid to be lost, should receive additional fluids immediately. Animals that go off feed or cannot acquire adequate food and water are also in great jeopardy of dehydration. It is always best to provide additional fluids at the onset of a problem, instead of trying to compensate for dehydration after the fact.

* Before initiating any treatment, CONSULT A VETERINARIAN!