Venting

[SincereArtisan]

So. We're fostering this dog for the humane society. He's a large lab mix of some sort. About 7 years old. We brought him home, and my first concern was he seemed to be drinking a lot of water. I grew up with labs, they think they are MADE of water, yes...but this dog would clean a giant bowl and then go toilet bowl diving to try and drink that clean. He wanted every drop of water any chance he could get it, and was constantly checking for it.

 

So I notified the HS. Their answer? Oh, he must just be competing with the other dogs. Mind you, my other dogs get a lap or two and move on...

 

Of course I'm worried there is a whole mess of issues this insatiable thirst could be pointing to.

 

Well, another few days go by, and this drinking thing does not lessen. It gets worse, because now if allowed to drink his fill he vomits it all back up, coupled with whatever else is on his belly at the time. (EWWWW) ...After cleaning up 3 lakes of slime, I notified the HS yet again. Grudgingly they tested him for Diabetes. Negative. So their answer? Parasites. *headdesk*

 

YES the drinking/vomiting is still happening. Vet assured me it was normal for him to drink 5-6 cups a day. I was all "Oh really? Cause he'd drink 5-6 cups an hour if I'd let him..."

 

I understand they don't want to find anything wrong with the dog cause that ruins his chances for being adopted. But I don't want some family taking him in only to discover he has an expensive medical issue and decide they can't afford him! ...It feels...dishonest. I hate seeing this dog exhibit signs of a problem and lack the power to do anything about it. I'm sure the HS is tired of me contacting them by now...I'd spend the money to get him tested for everything under the sun, but what good would that do him if I actually prove he has issues??? ...Oi vey.

[DebC]

I can commiserate with you about the water - ever since Dozer came home, I can no longer just leave a full water dish down because he will drink it all!

We now have a routine where each dog is offered water periodically through the day - that way Dozer doesn't get to over-indulge.

Both dogs seem to be doing fine with this arrangement.

I still keep a water dish down for the cats all the time, but the dogs don't have access to it.

[2 Devils]

Sorry you are dealing with this.

 

He really needs to be looked at because he could have a medical problem - kidneys, diabetes, etc...

 

He could also just be a water gorger. I know a couple dogs that have no medical issues (extensive testing) and they inhale water like they never get it. It is something that they do. They now must have limited water since they feel they must empty the bowl every time.

 

Good luck

[vanillalove]

I know a few labs who insist on gorging themselves on water. No medical conditions, just insane labs. They are on limited water and also respect a command to stop drinking. This issue may have only gotten worse because he was allowed to drink as much as he wants. I'd maybe take another trip to the HS for a test checking kidneys, maybe check urine as well, etc but if nothing comes up, nothing comes up and he could just be one of these wacko labs types.

[Tea]

Check for Lepto

 

and thyroid

[BCjetta]

Cushings is another thing to check for....it can cause them to drink a lot, pant a lot, be overweight etc.

Normal water intake for a dog is 1 ounce per pound of weight. If he's drinking a lot more than that, there's something not right.

[ejano]

Cushings is another thing to check for....it can cause them to drink a lot, pant a lot, be overweight etc.

Normal water intake for a dog is 1 ounce per pound of weight. If he's drinking a lot more than that, there's something not right.

 

This one ounce per pound rule is very helpful --I've been concerned that my dogs are getting too little water. They seem to tank up in the morning and afternoon and that's it.

[IPSY]

How nice of you to help out the shelter . I'm sorry you are goin thru this too. Geez, I would check kidneys , thyroid and cushings , a full blood work up , and hope for the best.

Lets face it, if this dog has serious problems , it's best to be upfront with it and let the shelter know . If it goes unknown, the dog will ultimately suffer without the proper meds. And how unfortunate for the family that would adopt him and later found out about his ill health and have to return him or maybe put him down.

 

BUT , he may have had a large bowl/bucket of water in his run and out of bordom , just sloshed around in it and drank all of it ? My shepherds do this when the other dogs are out running and they are inside . I think they take their frustrations out on the water ! LOL.... Ok , maybe not as much like you mentioned this guy does , but close enough......

 

Also , what kind of food is he eating ? I wet my dogs kibble and soak it before I give it to them..If you give kibble , maybe try a can food , since most are 80% water , this might satisfy some of his drinking ?

 

Good luck with him...

[Frogs & Dogs]

Every dog deals with the stress of a new environment differently. After bringing mine home from the shelter, she was drinking so much I seriously considered getting a bucket for indoors and letting her go to town anytime she wanted to. After a couple of weeks of settling in, she lost her appetite for water and now drinks a very reasonable amount. The shelter folks told me she drank a lot of water, so I guess she was stressed there too. It's interesting to note, though, that she didn't really exhibit any other signs of being stressed while settling in.

 

I wonder if limiting water could actually make your foster more determined to down way too much when it's offered?

[IPSY]

Every dog deals with the stress of a new environment differently. After bringing mine home from the shelter, she was drinking so much I seriously considered getting a bucket for indoors and letting her go to town anytime she wanted to. After a couple of weeks of settling in, she lost her appetite for water and now drinks a very reasonable amount. The shelter folks told me she drank a lot of water, so I guess she was stressed there too. It's interesting to note, though, that she didn't really exhibit any other signs of being stressed while settling in.

 

I wonder if limiting water could actually make your foster more determined to down way too much when it's offered?

 

Yes , it might , but giving small amounts frequently or a few ice cubes may work...I would try one of those toys that you buy for teething pups . You soak it in water and freeze it. It might amuse her and maybe relax her.

My pup likes one toy so much , he latches onto it and actually "nurses" on it . He will seek it out at night and cuddle up with it... If this is his way of "relaxing" so be it....

 

Good luck with her , I'm sure she couldnt have a better home ;-)