During illness, dehydration may be caused by an inadequate fluid intake. Dehydration causes a loss of electrolytes along with a loss of water. Veterinarians are schooled to replace lost electrolytes through subcutaneous fluids, and these are administered during surgery as well, when indicated. These solutions contain calcium, potassium, sodium, and chloride, but do not contain a broad spectrum of trace minerals which are also depleted through illness and the stress of surgery. Three phases of fluid therapy include emergency, replacement and maintenance. This final stage is where it is necessary to consider adding a full spectrum trace-mineral solution to the protocol.
The question regarding energy (water) requirements in sick animals continues to elicit controversy. Traditionally it has been taught that illnesses, injuries, and surgery resulted in the increased need for more energy (water). These teachings were extrapolated from human and rodent data. In the dog, there is mounting evidence that increased energy requirements are not common in the sick, injured, or surgical dogs. In fact, there are increased numbers of publications documenting the lower energy (water) requirements for both the normal and sick or traumatized dog. Additionally, from an evolutionary perspective, it seems logical to expect the dog to preserve available energy with illness or injury. [1] Unfortunately these studies assumed needed trace minerals were present, such as magnesium, iodine, manganese, boron, copper, selenium, chromium, cobalt, silver, vanadium and zinc. Each of these has a critical function in the body which is compromised when they are in short supply.
For example, zinc, selenium and magnesium are all critically important for pets fighting cancer for many reasons, among them immunity and resistance to drug reactions. Zinc deficiencies also cause an impaired ability to heal well. Stress and illness can reduce Zinc levels in the body. Zinc is also thought to help boost the immune system. Medications such as steroids and diuretics can interfere with Zinc absorption. However, care must be taken when deciding to supplement with Zinc, as this can interfere with Copper levels in the body which is needed to help with enzymes that are required for energy production. Therefore, it is imperative to provide supplementation in the proper ratio.
Trace minerals speed the rate of chemical reactions to create movement, and are necessary for vitamins and enzymes to function. Without enzymes the body cannot activate certain chemical processes like digestion or the cellular synthesis of proteins. The natural magnetic action of trace-minerals transmits a remarkable power to the organism and helps to rebuild vital potential. When the immune system does not function at its best especially after surgery or during illness, the trace-minerals stimulate the body's inner resources to awaken the stagnant energy and restore the body to a more healthful state.
Unfortunately, trace minerals are typically deficient in the average pet’s diet and need to be supplemented. This is due to the fact that most farm soils are deficient in trace minerals. The United Nations 1992 Earth Summit Report noted an average of 85% mineral depletion over the past 100 years for North American farm and range soils. This has not gotten any better in the past twenty years. Therefore, the plants don't contain the needed trace minerals. The trace mineral deficient plants and grains are fed to the farm animals like pigs, cows and chickens which are rendered for pet food. We assume that pet food manufacturers add the necessary minerals as an ingredient. In fact, these minerals are not trace, and are in too large a molecular form to get properly absorbed, so a pet that can still exhibit symptoms of deficiencies.
Water is no longer a good source of trace-minerals as city and bottled water are filtered removing many of the trace minerals. When pet owners are instructed to make sure their animal drinks, many veterinarians to not educate them as to the type of water to provide. The chlorine and fluoride (electron stealers) in city water is not healthy for people or animals as it compromises cellular voltage. And filtering although a better choice will require replacement of the essential trace elements for the same reason.
Minerals act as on off switches in the body. Each one has a cause and effect on physiology. It is essential that the smallest form of mineral is ingested as well – ionic or crystalloid that can pass through a semi-permeable membrane. Electrolyte-forming trace-minerals are those that carry chemical messages in the brain and nervous system through neurotransmitters. These are made from and stimulated by electrolytes and macro (trace) minerals, amino acids, choline and other nutritional factors. With a short supply of these electron-donating trace-minerals, messages from the brain to the body will be scrambled resulting in longer recovery periods. For this reason we advise vets discuss with the pet owner what kind of water they are giving the animal, and suggest that they add a broad-spectrum trace mineral solution to the animal’s water.
Excerpted in part from the book: The Electric Pet, Electrolyte Balancing for Animals
Nina Anderson, Specialist in Performance Nutrition
[1] Aberman A: The ins and outs of fluids and electrolytes. Emerg Med 14(7):121-127, 1982.
