Assistant Laboratory Animal Technician (ALAT) Practice Exam

Which of the following is not a symptom of dehydration?

1. Shaggy fur

2. Skin tenting

3. Sunken eyes

4. Smooth fur

The correct answer is: Smooth fur

The presence of smooth fur in animals is an indicator of good hydration and overall health. When an animal is well-hydrated, its fur texture remains normal and smooth. Dehydration typically leads to other observable symptoms such as shaggy fur, which may result from a lack of moisture and poor grooming behavior, as well as skin tenting and sunken eyes, which are physical signs that reflect the animal's fluid status. These symptoms indicate the loss of body fluids and the resulting effect on skin elasticity and eye appearance. Thus, smooth fur is not associated with dehydration and suggests that the animal is hydrated and healthy.