Electrolytes

[SmoothieGirl]

Hi all

I'm considering getting Bronte some electrolytes as we head into Feb. This is for a few reasons, 1. the hot weather takes it out of the poor love, 2. we have a big Feb with a couple of events including our first herding clinic, 3. we are going to do quite a bit of travelling in Feb and while she is now a good traveller after I've changed cars, I still want to be able to supplement her if she turns into Droolly Dora again (very poor traveller until 10/11 months).

Thinking back I probably should have got these into her after her car trips as a pup as her drooling was out of control - can't change the past though.

So, has anyone got any suggestions as to a good electrolyte that they have some experience with? I know horse electrolytes, but not the doggy versions. The only one I'm faintly familiar with is Recharge Greyhound, but that's because they have a horse version.

Thanks

[Sankari]

I highly recommend Lectade

I use it for rabbits on hot days and Charlotte too. Charlotte also gets it on days if shes had the runs or vomitting. It is fabulous. I get the sachet ones. I buy it in 12 sachet bulk lots but also comes in singles.

[WreckitWhippet]

I use Vytrate.

[anniek]

Hi all

I'm considering getting Bronte some electrolytes as we head into Feb. This is for a few reasons, 1. the hot weather takes it out of the poor love, 2. we have a big Feb with a couple of events including our first herding clinic, 3. we are going to do quite a bit of travelling in Feb and while she is now a good traveller after I've changed cars, I still want to be able to supplement her if she turns into Droolly Dora again (very poor traveller until 10/11 months).

Thinking back I probably should have got these into her after her car trips as a pup as her drooling was out of control - can't change the past though.

So, has anyone got any suggestions as to a good electrolyte that they have some experience with? I know horse electrolytes, but not the doggy versions. The only one I'm faintly familiar with is Recharge Greyhound, but that's because they have a horse version.

Thanks

I won't mention brands due to some legal stuff going on, but be VERY CARFUL of any products that contain sodium citrate, which actually flushes the kidneys, not rehydrate the dog, as they can cause crystals to form in the dogs urinary system which may not become apparent for a few months/years.

[WreckitWhippet]

Here's what's in Vytrate

Vytrate Liquid Concentrate

Active Constituents undiluted diluted (1 part to 11.5 parts)

Glucose 278.75 g/L 22.30 g/L

Glycine 38.56 g/L 3.08 g/L

Citric Acid Monohydrate 3.28 g/L 0.26 g/L

Potassium Citrate 0.75 g/L 0.06 g/L

Potassium Phosphate Monobasic 25.53 g/L 2.04 g/L

Sodium chloride 53.44 g/L 4.28 g/L

[SmoothieGirl]

Thanks for the warning Anniek, I'll definitely look out for that.

Thanks LC & SBT123, where do you get yours from, online or do your basic local pet suppliers sell it?

[WreckitWhippet]

You could pick it up at vets or order it online through Horse Supplies Direct. They are very fast with their ordering and if it's in stock it's in the mail the same day if ordered early.

[SmoothieGirl]

Thanks SBT123.

Anniek, do you know if the issue is with Monosodium Citrate, Disodium Citrate or Trisodium Citrate? Just doing a little more research now, but it threw me this curly question.

Both Lectade and Vytrate contain Potassium Citrate, so it looks like those manufacturers are actively trying to avoid the kidney stone issues.

[anniek]

Vytrate or BVP Repalite are good

[anniek]

Thanks SBT123.

Anniek, do you know if the issue is with Monosodium Citrate, Disodium Citrate or Trisodium Citrate? Just doing a little more research now, but it threw me this curly question.

Both Lectade and Vytrate contain Potassium Citrate, so it looks like those manufacturers are actively trying to avoid the kidney stone issues.

Potassium Citrate is good as it rehydrates, sodium citrate flushes and dehydrates.

[Sankari]

I buy mine on Vet n Pet Direct, but i found it cheaper at my current vet instead. I've asked to purchase a box of 12 from the vet, just waiting for them to let me know when it comes in.

Thanks for that info about Potassium Citrate. I was wondering what that does

[SmoothieGirl]

You could pick it up at vets or order it online through Horse Supplies Direct. They are very fast with their ordering and if it's in stock it's in the mail the same day if ordered early.

Dog electrolyte rookie question - Do you use the sachets or the liquid? Even though some of the websites say its for cattle or pig scour, I assume its the same product? Do you modify the dilution rates at all or is the dosage suitably managed by intake amount associated with the animal's size. Lastly, do you offer fresh water at the same time or make the electrolyte the first drink and after that offer fresh water?

I think I'll be all sorted after these questions.

Thanks

[WreckitWhippet]

You could pick it up at vets or order it online through Horse Supplies Direct. They are very fast with their ordering and if it's in stock it's in the mail the same day if ordered early.

Dog electrolyte rookie question - Do you use the sachets or the liquid? Even though some of the websites say its for cattle or pig scour, I assume its the same product? Do you modify the dilution rates at all or is the dosage suitably managed by intake amount associated with the animal's size. Lastly, do you offer fresh water at the same time or make the electrolyte the first drink and after that offer fresh water?

I think I'll be all sorted after these questions.

Thanks

I make mine up in a two litre plastic bottle for the weekends, with about 100mls of Vytrate, I make it a little less than suggested amount. I keep the bottle in the esky.

It depends on my dogs, some of them that are not big drinkers get Vytrate only in their bowl for the day, others that drink more get a drink of Vytrate and then plain water for the day.

If your dog doesn't travel too well, I would use the Vytrate as soon as you arrive at your destination.

There's no hard and fast rules and you will work it out after a few uses if one drink is enough, to keep the dog spritely or if you need to leave it with the dog for the day.

[Erny]

There's no hard and fast rules and you will work it out after a few uses if one drink is enough, to keep the dog spritely or if you need to leave it with the dog for the day.

Pardon my silly question - Can you 'overdose' a dog with electrolytes? IE If you gave it to a dog that doesn't need it, can it do any harm? I used to feed my horse electrolytes when we had a big run eventing or working-out. But I found that fairly easy to assess because the sweat on horses is obvious - you can use that to tell if the horse has lost a good amount of fluid. Dogs don't sweat quite as obviously. So, is there any harm in giving the electrolytes 'just in case' due to conditions?

[WreckitWhippet]

There's no hard and fast rules and you will work it out after a few uses if one drink is enough, to keep the dog spritely or if you need to leave it with the dog for the day.

Pardon my silly question - Can you 'overdose' a dog with electrolytes? IE If you gave it to a dog that doesn't need it, can it do any harm? I used to feed my horse electrolytes when we had a big run eventing or working-out. But I found that fairly easy to assess because the sweat on horses is obvious - you can use that to tell if the horse has lost a good amount of fluid. Dogs don't sweat quite as obviously. So, is there any harm in giving the electrolytes 'just in case' due to conditions?

You can use Vytrate for post transport stress as well as dehydration. You know if your dog is a poor traveller, stresses on weekends away, drinks less water or if you've been out in the ring in the sun or have competed in a sport.

I'll ask my vet what amounts she would consider harmfull if any. Mine wouldn't have more than 200mls a day and given the huge doses that apply to the body weight of other animals, I'm not worried about giving too much. Vytrate was the one she recommended for travel and weekends away showing when it's hot.

[Erny]

I'll ask my vet what amounts she would consider harmfull if any.

Thank you - that would be appreciated. I don't think my boy needs any, but it would be helpful to know (and to have it on hand) should the occasion arise.

Cheers

Erny

[WreckitWhippet]

Erny, it's fine to use whenever.

Vet said would only be a concern if you were giving it to them undiluted in large amounts or if they over drank.

They would vomit, as dogs will do when they have too much water at any one time.

[Erny]

Thanks SBT.

Cheers

Erny

[SmoothieGirl]

Thanks SBT and great questions Erny. This has helped heaps.

[WreckitWhippet]

You're welcome.

I should add, that we only discussed Vytrate and not any other electrolytes.