When a dog dies of dehydration, the dehydration at first leads to decreased blood volume in the dog as well as reduced oxygen delivery to the dogs organs and even an electrolyte imbalance.
And as the dehydration in the dog progress, damage to the dogs organs occurs and often results in kidney failure, shock and then death.
Dehydration in the dog, reduces the amount of fluid in the dogs bloodstream, which results in a decrease in the dogs blood volume and consequently, reduced blood flow to the dogs vital organs.
As a result, this impacts the delivery of oxygen and nutrients to the dogs organs, which causes them to function poorly.
Water is also essential for maintaining of the dogs electrolytes, such as sodium, chloride and potassium and being dehydrated disrupts the dogs electrolyte balance, which can impair the dogs muscle and organ function further.
The dogs kidneys are responsible for filtering out waste and regulating of the fluid balance, and the kidneys can be severely affected by dehydrated and in severe cases of dehydration, the dogs kidneys can fail and other organs such as the dogs heart and liver can also be damaged as a result of the dehydration.
Then as the dehydration gets worse, it can eventually lead to shock, which is a life threatening condition in which the dogs body organs don't get enough oxygen and blood and eventually if the dog does not get the fluids and electrolytes it needs it can result in death.
You can save a dehydrated dog in most cases by rehydrating the dog with some water or ice chips or even if need be the dog can be saved from dehydration through intravenous fluids and electrolytes by a vet.
The longer the dog is dehydrated the less chance of survival but even when a dog has been dehydrated for a long time they can be saved in most cases.
A dehydrated dog's pee will be dark yellow in color because the dogs kidneys are working to conserve water, which results in the dog's urine becoming more concentrated.
A well hydrated dogs urine is often amber in color or even a pale yellow.
When a dog is dehydrated the dog will have reduced urine output, increased thirst, have a dry nose and dry mouth, have sunken eyes, dry and sticky gums and a loss of skin elasticity, which is when the skin does not spring back quickly when the skin is pinched.
Other signs of a dog being dehydrated are lethargy and weakness, panting excessively, decreased appetite, confusion or disorientation, wobbly gait, hiding in cool places, reluctance to play or exercise, increased sensitivity to noise or touch and an increased heart rate, rapid breathing, thick and sticky saliva and constipation.
To rehydrate your dog, offer the dog some fresh water frequently.
You can also flavor the dogs water with some broth that is low in sodium or even give the dog some ice chips.
Also adding some wet food to the dogs diet or mixing some water in some dry dog food can also help to rehydrate the dog.
If the dehydration is really severe the dog may need to see a vet and may need IV hydration to restore hydration and electrolytes.
Dogs that have underlying health conditions such as kidney disease, Cushing's disease or diabetes may drink more water.
Dogs should have access to fresh water at all times so they can drink when they are thirsty.
A dog can go 72 hours without water, but the effects of dehydration in the dog will become apparent after the first 24 hours without water.