dehydration > rehydration???

[Jems71]

So my girl is not giving up yet...
She seems to be eating ok...ensure and multi grain baby cereal...this morning she ate more than she has over the past few days...I have been putting some water into this mix as I am not so sure she is getting enough...but of course this cuts down the ensure for nutrition...I have tried to give her water...water with sugar...water with strawberry quik...I have tried before meal when she should be hungry/thirsty, I have tried after meal as when she was healthy she would often drink after eating...she will not drink it...is there anything else I should try? And how do I know if she is dehydrated? Her poo's are not dry they are still firmish and formed and moist...not runny or dry so I take this as a good sign...but I don't know...if it was a cat...a dog...a bird even I would know better but I worry that I don't have enough experience or knowledge to be sure...But I do have all of you to guide me! Thank you all so much!

 

[ryelle]

A recipie that Shelagh posted one time and i keep noted down

Homemade rehydrating formula: 10 oz warm water, 1 tsp sugar, 1/3 tsp salt. Mix well, refrigerate extra, warm up to feed.

The way i tell if an animal is dehydrated is with a simple "Skin Tent Test". Its basically checking the return/elasticity of the skin. If you lightly pull the skin up on the back of the neck or on the sides of the shoulders or under the arms (where i find there is most skin on a rat) it should return fast if the animal is hydrated, if the skin doesnt move or goes back slowly its a sign of dehydration. If she has been unwell it might be worth giving her some hydration fluid anyway just to make sure she has enough salts in her system

 

[SQ]

If she is dehydrated and you are not able to give enugh fluids orally, the vet can give he fluids by sub-Q injection.
A vet can also sell you a kit and teach you how to do this at home.

 

[Rachael]

When mine are dehydrated I syringe (to the side of their mouth otherwise they will choke but you probably know this sorry) some honey water to them as its quite tasty for them. I boil water, add a little honey, stir the honey in, and allow to cool before syringing. It's not going to make them feel any better or give them back any natural salts etc it's just more important to get some kind of fluid to them in my opinion - not read lilspazs formula before though and might try it

 

[jorats]

If your little girl is drinking Ensure, she's not getting dehydrated. I'd stick with the Ensure.