Sandy Moore wrote 04/04/2007 09:42 AM Electrolytes Necessary? #136556 - 04/04/2007 09:42 AM
Sandy Moore Webboard User Reg: 07-25-2006 Posts: 2665 Loc: AZ Offline	My 9 mo old GSD has begun his bite training and obedience with a trainer. Given the factor that the heat here in Phoenix is already in the 90's and will only get hotter, I'm concerned with him working in the heat. Even early morning workouts will still be in the high 80's to high 90's (temps during the day can reach 115 degrees in the shade). He's all black and has hated the heat since he came last August as an 8 week old. Is it necessary to give electrolytes during the breaks during training or is water enough? If electrolytes are recommended, is there a difference between what is given a dog and electrolytes a human drinks?
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Amber Morgan wrote 04/04/2007 09:50 AM Re: Electrolytes Necessary? [Re: Sandy Moore ] #136563 - 04/04/2007 09:50 AM
Amber Morgan Webboard User Reg: 10-18-2006 Posts: 1849 Loc: St. Louis, MO Offline	This is an interesting post, Sandy. I'm curious to hear any advice on this. My first reaction is that people drink those kind of drinks because electrolytes are lost via sweat. Since dog's don't sweat, I don't know if electrolytes are lost that way. Anyone test a hot dog's drool? I would assume that water's fine, but if anyone has any specific info on the subject I'd be interested. Carbon
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Carol Boche wrote 04/04/2007 09:57 AM Re: Electrolytes Necessary? [Re: Sandy Moore ] #136566 - 04/04/2007 09:57 AM
Carol Boche Webboard User Reg: 10-30-2005 Posts: 4531 Loc: South Dakota, USA Offline	I use K-9 restart that is available at Scheels or Cabellas. I do not necassarily use it for the content, but it entices the dogs to drink more water. Therefore, I have never had a problem with overheating, even in the Black Lab. I make sure to keep them in the shade or in the vehicle with the A/C on. Until The Tale of the Lioness is told, the Story will Always Glorfy the Hunter
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Sandy Moore wrote 04/05/2007 10:50 AM Re: Electrolytes Necessary? [Re: Carol Boche ] #136805 - 04/05/2007 10:50 AM
Sandy Moore Webboard User Reg: 07-25-2006 Posts: 2665 Loc: AZ Offline	Thanks Carol! I called Cabella's near where I live and they don't have K9 Restart but they have Team Realtree Xtreme Fuel Quencher, says: "A powerful and efficient liquid supplement that delivers and replaces electrolytes to keep sporting dogs on top of their game all day. Composed of a blend of protein, carbohydrates and electrolytes. Acts to minimize sore muscles and maintain joint mobility." $14.99 for 20 oz using 8 Tbls per pint of water. K-9 Restart: I may have to order by mail (will check further). One site I found http://www.pet-dog-cat-supply-store.com/shop/index.php?page=shop-flypage-7510&ps_session=1f9a8c4a18394dbb489dcd720799422a has Restart, 1/2 lb for $9.56 and only uses 4 Tbls per pint of water. Any further input on comparison between the 2 products? I'm inclined to use the one you mentioned and proven and was wondering if you've used the Team Realtree product. A/C in car duly noted, with parking brake on for my pup even though tethered to a harness in the back seat Amber, dog drool testing, interesting concept. I've plenty around my kitchen floor when preparing Lear's meals.
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Connie Sutherland wrote 04/05/2007 01:30 PM Re: Electrolytes Necessary? [Re: Carol Boche ] #136848 - 04/05/2007 01:30 PM
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005 Posts: 31571 Loc: North-Central coast of California Offline	Quote: Carol Boche I use K-9 restart that is available at Scheels or Cabellas. I do not necassarily use it for the content, but it entices the dogs to drink more water. Therefore, I have never had a problem with overheating, even in the Black Lab. I make sure to keep them in the shade or in the vehicle with the A/C on. I have heard/read that some of these drinks contain a lot of sugar. Would it work to boil up some meat in water and keep that water (cooled, I mean) on hand instead? This came up at a club discussion once and the general consensus was that baited water for a dog who doesn't drink much on his own was the top choice. This is second-hand; I haven't read up on electrolytes and dogs.
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Connie Sutherland wrote 04/05/2007 01:42 PM Re: Electrolytes Necessary? [Re: Amber Morgan ] #136854 - 04/05/2007 01:42 PM
Connie Sutherland Moderator Reg: 07-13-2005 Posts: 31571 Loc: North-Central coast of California Offline	Quote: Amber Morgan My first reaction is that people drink those kind of drinks because electrolytes are lost via sweat. Since dog's don't sweat, I don't know if electrolytes are lost that way. ... I would assume that water's fine, but if anyone has any specific info on the subject I'd be interested. The vet med sites I just checked agree with you. I just googled the subject. Except for sites selling something, the unanimous opinion so far concurs with this: QUOTE: This is absolutely correct (that dogs do not need electrolyte replacement as humans do). It has been said here before, but just to reiterate. Replacement of fluids with electrolytes is for animals that sweat (like humans). Dogs do not sweat (significantly) and therefore do not lose electrolytes. If you give them electrolytes, they may actually draw fluids out of the dogs body into the gastrointestinal tract, causing the dog to be more dehydrated. So - bottom line: Just give the dog access to fresh water. Chris Zink DVM, PhD http://www.caninesports.com END from http://www.agilityability.com/conditioning.htm
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Amber Morgan wrote 04/05/2007 02:00 PM Re: Electrolytes Necessary? [Re: Connie Sutherland ] #136857 - 04/05/2007 02:00 PM
Amber Morgan Webboard User Reg: 10-18-2006 Posts: 1849 Loc: St. Louis, MO Offline	Thanks for the info, Connie. It's good to know that they may actually cause the dog to become even more dehydrated; that wouldn't have occured to me. Thanks for doing the research. Interesting topic, Sandy. Carbon
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Sandy Moore wrote 04/05/2007 03:19 PM Re: Electrolytes Necessary? [Re: Amber Morgan ] #136867 - 04/05/2007 03:19 PM
Sandy Moore Webboard User Reg: 07-25-2006 Posts: 2665 Loc: AZ Offline	Thank you Amber Connie, based on the site you posted and the info, I figure since Lear has no problem drinking water when exercising, I'll stick with just water. As it is, I have to keep him from drinking too much. I didn't realize electrolytes were lost through sweat! I just thought it was a chemistry occurrence type thing that had to do with tired muscles. I appreciate the information very much. Saved me some money too Thanks very much, everybody.
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alice oliver wrote 04/06/2007 09:19 AM Re: Electrolytes Necessary? [Re: Sandy Moore ] #136987 - 04/06/2007 09:19 AM
alice oliver Webboard User Reg: 09-14-2005 Posts: 843 Loc: Offline	my thought was that even though they don't lose electrolytes from sweating, they could lose them from drinking lots of water, if it's enough water to flush nutrients from the body. in humans, it is possible to drink too much water and then you need to replace the electrolytes. just curious if the studies in question took this into account? i take my dog backpacking and i have to ride herd on him to drink regularly, but if he drank a lot, i would be concerned about him flushing salts out of his body. it has happened to me. working Mastiff
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ted efthymiadis wrote 08/16/2007 09:44 AM Re: Electrolytes Necessary? [Re: alice oliver ] #152012 - 08/16/2007 09:44 AM
ted efthymiadis Webboard User Reg: 03-02-2007 Posts: 278 Loc: Offline	hahaha. Dogs have lived for how many years only drinking water, I think the dog will be fine, just find some shade, and a nice big bowl of water.
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