Don't limit your dog's thirst, even if it seems like there's something wrong
ORLANDO, Fla. -- The North American Veterinary Conference may be the largest veterinary conference on the planet with more than 8,000 veterinary professionals receiving continuing education, teaching and learning about new products. The experts, who attended Jan. 16-20 in Orlando, Fla., answered your reader questions.
Q: We took in a 2-year-old Beagle/Dachshund looking dog who was dumped in the country. He obviously had a tough life, and he was filled with fleas, suffered an injured tail, and was very fearful. He's now more confident and free-flea, and his tail is better.
Recently, we noticed he began to drink excessively, often throwing up after drinking, and is urinating often. He's neutered.
Our dog understands going outside, but he urinates large amounts of urine in the house. He urinates in the crate, too.
He wants water constantly, as we have limited his water intake. He acts likes he dying of thirst. What could be wrong? -- R.B.,Trivoli, IL
A: So sad, this guy has gone through so much and now this.
"Definitely this dog requires detailed blood work, including kidney and liver values, and electrolytes," says American Animal Hospital Association veterinary advisor Dr. Heather Loenser, who is based in Lebanon, N.J.
The most concentrated urine is first thing in the morning, so try to catch your dog's first urine and then deliver the sample to the clinic, or bring the dog into the clinic before he urinates.
"I definitely would not limit his water," Loenser says. "You'll just need to take him out more often, until this is figured out, as your dog is attempting to keep himself hydrated. Perhaps, you can hire a dog walker. As for what's wrong, there are many possibilities. If your veterinarian can't figure it out, consider an internal medicine specialist."
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