July is typically the hottest month of the year across much of the United States, making it a fitting time for Pet Dehydration Awareness Month, an educational campaign established in 2018.
Summer heat places additional demands on a pet’s ability to regulate body temperature and maintain fluid and electrolyte homeostasis. When severe dehydration develops, reduced blood flow can threaten vital organ function.
Dehydration can contribute to several serious complications in pets, including electrolyte abnormalities, heat stroke, muscle damage, and multi-organ dysfunction. One particularly serious potential complication is acute kidney injury (AKI), which is a sudden decline in kidney function.
The Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, TVMDL, helps veterinarians care for their patients by offering several diagnostic tests that provide valuable insight into hydration status and renal health.
The kidneys rely on steady blood flow to regulate hydration, maintain electrolyte balance, and filter waste products. When dehydration reduces circulating blood volume, the kidneys may not receive the oxygen and nutrients they need to function efficiently. If dehydration continues, the lack of oxygen and nutrients can damage kidney tissue, increasing the risk of AKI.
Vomiting and diarrhea are common causes of dehydration in both dogs and cats and should be treated promptly to help prevent fluid loss.
Importantly, dogs and cats also face species-specific risk factors for dehydration.
Several factors can make dogs especially susceptible to dehydration during the summer months. Dogs may spend more time outdoors, commonly engage in higher levels of physical activity, and rely primarily on panting to regulate body temperature, all of which can increase fluid loss, particularly during hot weather. As a result, dogs require access to fresh water both indoors and outdoors at all times.
Cats, on the other hand, are often selective about their water sources. Literature suggests that many cats drink more when the water source is placed away from both their food bowl and litter box.
Some veterinarians and feline behaviorists suggest that cats prefer drinking from flowing water, such as pet fountains. Interestingly, it is believed that cats instinctively associate moving water with a fresher and safer source of hydration because stagnant water in natural environments is more likely to harbor bacteria, parasites, and other contaminants.
TVMDL offers a range of diagnostic tests that can help veterinarians evaluate AKI and other renal conditions. Depending on the clinical scenario, veterinarians may use several tests together or recommend follow-up testing to better characterize disease severity and monitor progression.
Chemistry Profile
A chemistry profile is often the first step in evaluating dehydration or suspected kidney injury. Select analytes include blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and creatinine, along with electrolytes, proteins, and other biochemical markers to help assess kidney function, identify metabolic abnormalities, and evaluate overall organ health.
Urinalysis
A complete urinalysis includes a gross examination, urine specific gravity, biochemical analysis, and microscopic evaluation to assess kidney and urinary tract function. It can provide valuable information about possible renal dysfunction and may help determine the underlying cause.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
A CBC evaluates red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. In dehydrated patients, it may reveal hemoconcentration, while also helping identify inflammation, infection, or other systemic conditions that could contribute to kidney disease.
Electrolyte Profile
This test measures sodium, potassium, and chloride concentrations. Electrolyte abnormalities commonly accompany dehydration and heat stress.
Although dehydration is often preventable, it should never be overlooked. If left untreated, dehydration can progress to serious complications like AKI. When AKI or other renal conditions are suspected, TVMDL provides veterinarians with the best diagnostic tools needed to evaluate kidney function and support informed treatment decisions.
For more information about TVMDL’s diagnostic services visit tvmdl.tamu.edu or call the College Station laboratory at 888.646.5623.