drinking and drinking and drinking.....

[tshirttruck]

I've posted before, but I noticed the board is a little busier today. Our 16 month old white boxer awoke one morning about a month ago unable to get enough to drink. He used to leave his water bowl practically undisturbed prior to this. Now he is in search of water all day every day. We restricted him for a while to what seemed like a reasonable amount of water daily- then he stopped eating completely. We went to the vet, had a $$$$ workup and found nothing wrong except that his urine is extremely dilute. If we let him drink as much as he wants, he eats better (extremely skinny boy to begin with!) but then we have to keep the yard door open all day for him to prevent accidents in the house, and he'll even pee the crate (something he hasn't done since 12 weeks old!)
attitude is the same, no sudden change in food, no recent stressors. PLEASE offer any advice at all! Thanks

 

[Slobber Baby]

I think it may be the weather change, my babies go through spells where they drink and drink and eat us out of house and home. Maybe it is a growth spurt. Then they settle down. Good luck...

 

[gmacleod]

Is there any reason for him to be needing so much water? Very hot temperatures, or lots of exercise during the hot periods of the day?

If there is no other reason, and it is affecting his eating as well, then one would have to suspect he's got some sort of kidney problem going on there. Is the very dilute urine when you restrict his water, or only when he has free access to as much as he wants? One way or the other, it doesn't sound normal to me and I think I'd be inclined to get a second opinion from another vet.

 

[Toby's Momma]

It sounds like Diabetes Insipidous to me. It has nothing to do with the Diabetes pertaining to glucose. It has to do with the Antidiuretic Hormone produced in the brain. I'd have him checked out again, perhaps by another vet - and mention your concern for this. What you'll probably have to do is give him DDAVP eye drops to help hold the urine.

 

[magoo's_mama]

Did they do a urnialysis and checked for UTI and bladder and kidney problems?
What does he eat? Could his food be making him thirsty?

 

[Toby's Momma]

Update?

I've posted before, but I noticed the board is a little busier today. Our 16 month old white boxer awoke one morning about a month ago unable to get enough to drink. He used to leave his water bowl practically undisturbed prior to this. Now he is in search of water all day every day. We restricted him for a while to what seemed like a reasonable amount of water daily- then he stopped eating completely. We went to the vet, had a $$$$ workup and found nothing wrong except that his urine is extremely dilute. If we let him drink as much as he wants, he eats better (extremely skinny boy to begin with!) but then we have to keep the yard door open all day for him to prevent accidents in the house, and he'll even pee the crate (something he hasn't done since 12 weeks old!)
attitude is the same, no sudden change in food, no recent stressors. PLEASE offer any advice at all! Thanks

Any updates, tshirttruck?

 

[boxergirl76]

How much is normal intake for a dog

I have a 9 month old boxer and he aslo seems to want to drink alot of water , but how do I know if its excessive. He seems to get very thirsty even if he is just playing in the house with us and its cool, he also will go to the water dish at the dog park many times over and over again ..I guess im just not sure whats to much water if anyone has any suggestions ..please let me know thanks

 

[Apollobxr]

drinking and drinking and drinking

We noticed that with our first boxer at the age of 6 months. She was going in to be spade and we did some blood work and noticed her lab values were abnormal. After xrays, ultrasounds and biopsies she was diagnosed with chronic renal failure. She lived for four years with a special diet and many trips to the vets office, when only given 6 months to live from the beginning. Didn't mean to worry anyone about their dogs drinking too much water, they could be just thirsty!! that is just our story.

 

[Lancerella]

Any news on your baby? Did you check for the second opinion?