Low to slightly mild levels of dehydration can be managed at home. Severe cases need prompt veterinary treatment, so please do not delay vet treatment if this is the case. If you plan to treat at home, talk to your vet first if your cat is diabetic.
In severe cases, your veterinarian can recommend hospitalizing your cat and giving them fluids through a catheter that goes directly into the cat's vein. This method can usually rehydrate your cat within a few hours or days.
A cat can not live with water loss of fifteen percent. As dehydration can be fatal, immediate rectification of the condition must be sought through veterinary treatment. While dehydration may occur simply from not accessing adequate amounts of water, it may be a symptom of a larger problem in the body.
In moderate to severe cases of dehydration, your cat may need a round or more of IV fluids from the vet. And if your cat is extremely dehydrated, they will likely need to stay with the emergency vet for a few rounds of IV fluids to help them recover fully from the issue.
Treatment Of Dehydration In Cats
Treatments can include: Intravenous (IV) fluid therapy: When an IV is placed under the cat's skin and into the vein to administer fluids. Subcutaneous (SQ) fluid therapy6: When a needle attached to a fluid bag is positioned under the skin so it can be slowly absorbed into the blood.
Signs of dehydration include lethargy, weakness, poor appetite, dry mucous membranes, and, in more severe cases, eyes that are sunken into their sockets. The most common causes of dehydration in cats are diseases that cause increased water loss.
Contact your vet right away if you believe that your cat isn't drinking enough water. Dehydration can be an indication of a serious underlying condition such as kidney disease, heatstroke, or diabetes. When it comes to your cat's health it is always best to err on the side of caution.
Owners will be pleased to know that the price for fluid therapy can be quite low, with many clinics charging around $100 inclusive of materials and diagnosis. However, fluid therapy is often administered as just one component of a larger treatment plan. Kits for at-home fluid therapy cost roughly $30.
Fluids can be lifesaving for dehydrated animals. In addition, cats simply feel unwell if they are dehydrated. An animal that isn't feeling well won't eat and drink normally, which compounds the problem. Proper hydration is at the core of good health.
If water is not clean, easy to get to, and readily available, cats are likely to give up on the pursuit altogether. Once the effects of dehydration set in, it becomes even more difficult for them to make themselves drink.
Dehydration Can Lead to Organ Damage
Dehydration is a real danger for pets and can even lead to organ damage if not treated quickly. These organs include the brain, heart, and kidneys. An immediate trip to a veterinarian may be necessary to avoid any further damage.
The key is to rehydrate your kitty slowly over time. If your cat does have access to water, but you realize they are dehydrated anyway, try to get your kitty to consume moisture any way you can. Sometimes a few drops of chicken broth in your cat's water can entice them to drink.
If your cat's dehydration has reached a severe level, she may have sunken eyes and may look quite sick in the face as well. The sunken eyes symptom may also be accompanied with eyes that look glossy, which is another sign of a sick cat. If your cat looks like she has sunken eyes, take her to the vet as soon as you can.
If it is dehydrated, the gums will be dry and tacky when touched, and its saliva will be thick. Lethargy. Loss of appetite. Urinating less frequently or in smaller amounts than normal.
Cats that are sick often have elevated third eyelids – the third eyelid is located beneath the lower eyelid and in a sick cat it will cover part of the eyeball. Any abnormality with the eyes can result in blindness – if in doubt at all, DO NOT DELAY - see your veterinarian.
Do Not Give Milk to Cats. Cats, like many people are lactose intolerant. Therefore, providing milk for hydration isn't the best option since it can cause gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting and diarrhea. Both of these issues can prevent your cat from drinking and can cause or worsen dehydration.
Fresh water should be available at all times. Healthy cats that eat canned food often drink very little because the food contains a high proportion of water. If your cat stops eating, she will need to have additional fluids. Fluids can be administered by mouth using a syringe.
If you notice that your cat isn't drinking any water then it's time to look into why. There may be an underlying health condition, the water may not be fresh enough or the location of the bowl could all be potential reasons why your cat isn't drinking enough.
Loss of appetite is one of the key clues that something is wrong. So be sure to pay attention if your cat suddenly stops eating. A number of different conditions may be responsible, including infections, kidney failure, pancreatitis, intestinal problems, and cancer.
Feline kidneys can filter out the salt from water, which allows them to consume and rehydrate by drinking salt water. While it's safe for your cat to occasionally drink from saltwater pools, and while they can tolerate higher salt intake than dogs, this does NOT mean that should consume large amounts of salt.
An easy way to test for dehydration is by gently pinching your cat's skin, like the skin between their shoulders, and notice if the skin does not retract back or remains loose. This could be a sign of dehydration.
Tuna water can also help to hydrate cats. Dehydration can lead to several health problems in cats, so it is essential to ensure they get enough fluids. Tuna water can also help to improve cats' digestion. The nutrients in tuna water can help to keep the digestive system functioning correctly.