Hydrating dogs

[Kevin Hannah]

Hey,

There is a lot of talk about lately about keeping dogs hydrated. Lots of people talking about just giving water while others using that rehydrate product.

Just wondering what some of you guys are using, do you just give water or do you suppliment their water with anything extra?

Kevin

[verno]

So far I just have lots of water available but I keep thinking of trying the Rehydrate supplement.

[Kevin Hannah]

So far I just have lots of water available but I keep thinking of trying the Rehydrate supplement.

I am doing the same thing Verno, I just give lots of water but I am wondering if the other products help at all.

Kevin

[Kevin Hannah]

I know I have read that the rehydrate is a bit pricey and others have mentioned pedialite and gatorade.

Kevin

[franklauzon]

I think for the most part they are all the same, basically water, with elecrolytes.

[rocko]

I use to drink pedialite after cutting weight for tournaments.....I can't see a dog drinking that stuff.....it tastes like ass......

[Mike Bons]

Does anyone have a good link on canine exercise physiology? I ask because I don't think you can compare human and canine physiology due to the simple fact that humans lose electrolytes and water by sweating, where as dogs as far as I know only lose water by panting (in the form of water vapor). I guess what I am asking is how do dogs lose electrolytes? I understand how they do in cases of diarrhea and vomitting, and I understand where this type of drink would be applicable in that application.
Mike

[franklauzon]

yeah... what he said...

[luvmylabs]

We usually just give water, but found when we were upland hunting, sometimes the dogs wouldn't drink being too excited so would mix up a mixture of 1 part red Gatorade to 1 part water. Our gang loved it and would drink it when they wouldn't drink water.:idea:

Anne

[Kevin Hannah]

Here is the link to the site I was looking at and reading about.

http://www.rehydratetabs.com/

[Mike Bons]

Here is the link to the site I was looking at and reading about.

http://www.rehydratetabs.com/

I had a look at the website, and it appears that they are trying to replicate the same blood osmolarity that the dog would naturally have - an isotonic solution. However what I am questioning is, if a dog is not depleating its electrolyte stores during exercise, the dog would become hypernatremic (excess blood sodium levels relative to the water levels). Therefore giving just water should balance these stores.
I am not suggesting that it would hurt the dog any by giving this supplement, I am just not sure what good it does. I understand Anne's point about giving a flavoured drink to encourage the dogs to drink more.
I guess I am just asking some questions so don't put any validity into what I am saying...sometimes having a bit a knowledge is worse that having none.

[Kevin Hannah]

blood osmolarity.....isotonic solution...... hypernatremic (excess blood sodium levels relative to the water levels).


HUH.......:wtf:

Does anyone use it though? I don't but there is a lot of buzz about it lately

Kevin

[AD18]

I must be way behind the times. Plain ol' water and a cool, shady spot for them to rest. Although at the end of the day the black dog does like a couple of brewski's and the yell'r one likes a VO and coke or two.

[rocko]

^^^ ha ha ha:darkbeer: :2:

[Kevin Hannah]

I must be way behind the times. Plain ol' water and a cool, shady spot for them to rest. Although at the end of the day the black dog does like a couple of brewski's and the yell'r one likes a VO and coke or two.


Mine have ENOUGH trouble running semi straight lines stone sober:angry:

[LET'M RUN]

Good post there Kevin. I think I will call my vet. on this one. I will see if I get an answer and report it back.

Tony

[Mike Bons]

Here is some more threads on the topic.. if you are interested.

http://www.sleddogcentral.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7016

http://retrievertraining.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=42049

[verno]

I ordered some Rehydrate today. I will let you know if it makes a difference or not.

[Huntingonthebrain]

Dogs have survived for thousands of years without pedialight and supplements.. just from rehydrating on water. I guess this one other thing that messes with my mind. Are we being really influenced by companies that just want our money. I mean I believe these things work, however as I previously stated dogs have survived through just drinking water for years with no apparent danger so I question spending money on somethin like "electrolites in the water". Just my 2 cents

[verno]

Dogs have survived for thousands of years without pedialight and supplements.. just from rehydrating on water. I guess this one other thing that messes with my mind. Are we being really influenced by companies that just want our money. I mean I believe these things work, however as I previously stated dogs have survived through just drinking water for years with no apparent danger so I question spending money on somethin like "electrolites in the water". Just my 2 cents
You have a valid point but couldnt the same be said of vets, vaccines and kibble? I don't think there is any question that our dogs will be just fine on plain cold water and shade. But I'm interested in finding out if maybe they can do a bit better with a bit more help. They are atheletes (at least during hunting season) and maybe a little bit of help will give them more success or at least let them recover a bit quicker.

[Huntingonthebrain]

I agree with you verno...to a degree. However, I think that what we are seeing among humans right now is a human body that is better and healthier in a lot of ways but more prone to other diseases and problems. I think a lot of the reason is that the body is less reliant on its own ability to recoup and heal and more reliant on the drugs and supplements that we administer to it. So I guess I would be concerned that we could eventually take away from the dogs natural ability to recover as well by feeding them supplements and such. I have no real scientific proof of this and I am just a little partial to natural recovery and health so I try to stay away from anything that begins to create the "bubble syndrome".:fencing: That being said, everything in moderation I guess. This type of thing is a very valuable type of discussion. So I say bring it on people...agree or disagree with Verno and I.

[Mike Bons]

You have a valid point but couldnt the same be said of vets, vaccines and kibble?

The difference is that the science behind vets, vaccines and kibble is that they are formulated for dogs, not humans. Sorry, I just can't see the physiology behind this product.

[Kevin Hannah]

Cut and pasted from another board, the message below is the responce back from a Veterinary College when asked about the benifits of the product.


Thank you for your question. This is an area that is receiving a lot of
attention with regard to controlled studies and research. A published
report in 2004(J Vet Intern Med 2004; 18:147-151) assessed the
physiologic response of Labrador retrievers during field trial training
and competition. In this study, the authors did find a statistically
significant difference between the potassium, sodium, and chloride serum
levels before and after exercise. Potassium and sodium decreased and
chloride increased. One has to be very cautious though, in that,
statistically significant sometimes means very little clinically. In
this study, the alterations in electrolytes were very small, so it
remains to be determined if supplementation would be of any benefit for
these dogs. The electrolyte changes were typical of what is seen in dogs
with respiratory alkalosis, which is what one would expect to see with a
lot of panting post exercise. So, to answer your question, the
Rehydrate product would probably not hurt the dog but may not be of much
benefit either in performance. The body is very smart in controlling
these electrolytes, so if the supplementation is given and not excessive
(meaning against company recommendations) the body would excrete what it
does not need.

Thank you,
Veterinarian on Call