Tips to prevent dehydration?

[Laura]

Our girl developed diarrhea while we were away camping, that has lasted 6 days. She was acting normally, otherwise, but last night she started vomiting, so we immediately brought her to the vet. They did blood work (which came back normal), gave her prescription for meds for nausea and diarrhea, and special food to give her for the next 4 days. Today she's been pretty lethargic (she's normally a lazy pup, but today, a bit more than normal), and hasn't had a bowel movement. Not sure if it's from the heat here or all the excitement last night. Either way, I'm concerned about her becoming dehydrated. I've given her a few ice cubes...which I know there's controversy about. Any advice or tips on how to keep her from becoming dehydrated? Also, has anyone else gone through this?

[Rosemary (Ro) and Enzo]

For both avoiding dehydration and diarrhea you can give Pedialyte . I always keep some on hand for the animals.

http://pets.webmd.com/dogs/diarrhea-causes-treatment-dogs?page=2

[Cindy and Olive (Ollie)]

Ohh, hope she feels better soon. I would post this in the health group for sure. They will prob tell you that the prescription food is junk and to instead start chicken n sweet potato or chicken n rice. I know from experience that they can swing from diarrhea to constipated, especially if on rx food... Maybe she would drink homemade chicken broth as more appealing (no onion in it?) to hydrate. Good luck.

[Susan & Henry]

I am so sorry she is sick. Henry has had lots of issues with vomiting (usually if he gets ahold of something he is not supposed to eat) but he also has acid reflux and takes a pill every morning and gets a low residue food from the vet. The times he was really sick it was because he ate something bad I held his food and gave him broth and water until he stopped throwing up. They also gave him a shot at the vet that stopped his vomiting immediately.

[denise rumbaugh]

clear Pedialyte brand or generic.  No color ones which has added sugar according to my vet.  I give my Jace ice cubes all of the time.  He loves them because he just has issues drinking in general. My vet said ice cubes are perfectly fine although she does not recommend any really cold water after he has been running or playing hard for awhile.  I hope your sweetie feels better soon.  Maybe she got into something when you were camping?  Good luck to you!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Could she have swallowed something while you were gone?  Did they x-ray her stomach to see if she has an obstruction?  In my opinion, If they are not eating and lethargic, it is necessary to get them to the vet asap. Keep us posted on how she is doing.  I hope she feels so much better soon. 

[Laura]

Thanks everyone. We're not sure what caused this. We think the likely source could be the change in water or stress related (this was her longest time away from home). The vet didn't do an x-ray but felt her stomach thoroughly and Molly didn't have any pain. She's been eating normally throughout this whole ordeal. I just added water to her food this morning, and that seemed to work! I will give Pedialyte a try if I feel she's not drinking enough...I never thought of that! Thanks!