SHELLEY: Hello!
When your pet is not feeling well or just needs a boost of energy, electrolytes are
often the answer.
But many people have a lot of questions about them.
And that’s okay!
That is why we are here today with Deedee talking all about electrolytes in this episode
of the Pet Care Pro Show.
We’ll talk about how and when to use them and we have an exciting announcement, so be
sure to stick around for that as well!
Now Deedee is a Revival Pet Care Pro.
Every day she works closely with our on-staff veterinarian to answer pet owner questions.
And electrolytes are something many people have questions about.
DONDI: Yes they do!
SHELLEY: Now before we start, if you are watching this on YouTube, consider subscribing to the
Revival Animal Health YouTube channel, by clicking the little red heart, right down
here in the lower corner of this video.
We regularly add new videos on pet care and pet health so you don’t want to miss those!
Okay, now it’s time to discuss electrolytes.
What exactly are they and how do they benefit pets?
DONDI: Electrolytes are salts regulated by the kidney as part of hydration.
Replacing them in oral solution can help the body stay hydrated and support your dogs and
cats needs.
Electrolytes also have dextrose to keep puppies and kittens energy level up.
In litters of puppies and kittens with diarrhea, electrolytes keep them from dehydrating so
their immune system can fight.
Sick pets probably won't die from the virus or bacteria, but they can die from the result
of dehydration.
Electrolytes are also helpful for any stressful situations like weaning or moving to new home.
SHELLEY: Now you mentioned diarrhea.
That is perhaps one of the most crucial times when electrolytes are needed?
DONDI: Absolutely!
Most people know when diarrhea or vomiting is happening, dehydration is a top concern.
When that is happening, you need to assess whether a puppy or kitten is becoming dehydrated.
A great way to do this with newborns is to stimulate urination using a cotton ball.
Newborns should have little or no color to their urine.
If there is any color, that indicates the newborn is getting dehydrated and electrolyte
solution is the answer.
SHELLEY: Right!
When a puppy is sick, hydrate, hydrate, hydrate!
DONDI: Yes.
And keep them warm!
But it’s important to remember, electrolytes aren’t only beneficial for cases of diarrhea.
They can also be helpful with newborn puppies that become chilled.
When this happens mom often sets the cold puppy aside, she does not know how to help
the slow newborn.
Chilled newborns can’t digest milk while cold but they can absorb and use warm electrolytes
with dextrose.
Tube feeding warm electrolytes with dextrose helps to slowly warm the puppy up in a safe
way.
Warm electrolytes help warm the newborn from the inside out as you are warming from the
outside in.
Warming too fast can put the newborn's body in shock and that can be dangerous.
Once the puppy is warm, switch to a milk replacer like Breeder’s Edge Foster Care and then
back to mom to care for them.
Don’t hesitate to call if you need help with newborn care.
Giving mom a little help usually saves the chilled baby.
SHELLEY: Now what about in cases when the mom is late with her milk?
Electrolytes can actually help in that situation as well.
DONDI: Absolutely!
Overeating diarrhea is a common issue with C-Section moms.
When the mom is late with her milk and then it does finally come in, puppies and kittens
are hungry so they overeat and end up with diarrhea.
When this happens, sometimes many people can’t figure out what the problem is.
For overeating diarrhea, we give electrolytes to fill their tummies so they feel full and
back off nursing.
That usually solves it.
Use Oxy momma next time and make sure mom milks from day one and you won’t deal with
this issue.
SHELLEY: Now, it can be overwhelming to know which electrolyte is best for your pet and
easiest to use.
But we have some good news to share when it comes to that!
Time for our big announcement.
At Revival, we now offer a new exclusive electrolyte supplement that is designed just for cats
and dogs.
Breeders’ Edge Puppy Lyte and Breeder’s Edge Kitten Lyte.
Tell us more about these.
DONDI: Yes, we are very excited to have these products.
Breeders’ Edge Puppy Lyte and Breeders’ Edge Kitten Lyte replenish electrolytes, and
most importantly, help maintain hydration.
Hydration is the key!
Since they also contain fast absorbing dextrose, these electrolytes give a needed energy boost
as well.
SHELLEY: But these aren’t just for kittens and puppies?
DONDI: No, not at all.
They are helpful to use with moms following surgery, whelping or queening or just nursing.
And of course, the puppy and kitten lyte products are useful for diarrhea or vomiting, no matter
the age of your pet.
Keeping your dog or cat hydrated using electrolytes helps them fight the cause of “being sick”.
And best of all, these Breeders’ Edge formulas are chicken flavor, so getting pets to take
them is not a problem.
SHELLEY: So I can really see why electrolytes are something that are always good to have
on hand.
DONDI: Absolutely!
Unfortunately, we don’t have a crystal ball to know when a puppy or kitten will suddenly
become ill.
If diarrhea or vomiting strikes, you want to have electrolytes on hand, ready to go
in order to prevent dehydration.
SHELLEY: Right, if diarrhea hits at 9 pm on a Friday, you don’t really have a whole
lot of options.
DONDI: Exactly.
But the good news is electrolyte packets are easy to keep for months and are there when
you need them.
It is wise to have them ready in your emergency kit.
Many people turn to electrolytes during the recovery period, but it’s important to know
that electrolytes can and should be used before and during illness as well.
This is especially true for young puppies and kittens.
If one puppy in the litter is sick, giving the entire litter electrolytes may help keep
littermates from getting sick as well.
SHELLEY: Great advice there!
Now let’s talk about oral electrolytes versus injectable electrolytes versus enema fluids.
DONDI: Right.
In a nutshell, oral electrolytes are a simple and fast solution when you need hydration
quickly.
And as I mentioned earlier, oral electrolytes are easy to give to an entire litter even
if only one of the puppies is sick.
You want to keep everyone else healthy.
The earlier we use electrolytes, the better the newborn or adult can fight the illness.
Now injectable electrolytes are best to use when swallowing is not possible such as when
they are vomiting.
These prescription fluids can hydrate without going orally and your veterinarian can help
you with how to inject them safely.
Meanwhile, electrolyte enemas are often the answer in the pediatric patient, when no other
option is possible.
If you have a dehydrated newborn with no blood pressure, he needs fluids now.
Warm rectal fluids hydrate the puppy and helps bring the body temperature up safely.
SHELLEY: Now what about Pedialyte.
It’s an electrolyte for humans but I know you get a lot of questions about that whether
it is okay to give to pets?
DONDI: Pedialyte is an expensive option, so there is that.
But as far as if it can be given to pets, the answer is yes, BUT it needs to be diluted.
It contains glucose which is too sweet for puppies and kittens.
In an emergency situation, you can use Pedialyte but dilute it with 50 percent Pedialyte to
50 percent water before giving it to your pet and they will take it better.
Ideally, you want to have on hand electrolytes such as the Breeders’ Edge puppy and kitten
lyte that are formulated specifically for pets.
SHELLEY: Great advice on electrolytes.
Do you have other uses and or questions about electrolytes?
Comment below to share with the Revival community!
I’m Shelley with the Revival education team.
This is Deedee, a Revival Pet Care Pro.
Thank you so much for joining us on this electrolyte episode of the Pet Care Pro Show.
SHELLEY: Hi!
If you’re watching on Youtube, and new to our channel, consider subscribing to our Youtube
channel to catch our new videos right when they come out.
If you more questions on electrolytes or any other pet health issue, don’t hesitate to
give our Pet Care Pros a call at this number just below me.
Or check out our other pet health videos.