Lhok Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 A bit of back story My dog is an 11 year old lab kelpie cross. Since Sunday I have noticed she is drinking a lot more then she usually would be. The weather hasn't been very hot either, she has gone from drinking half an ice cream bucket to the whole thing in a day. Her exercise hasn't changed and neither has her diet which is some advance senior bikkies in the morning and again some in the night with a bit of advanced canned mixed in. Not sure if I should be worried or not as the vet I phoned didn't think it was something to be overly concerned about. Thought I would ask here to see if I need to get another opinion as the vet I phoned wasn't the usual one I see. Thanks in advance --Lhok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 (edited) Lhok personally I would take a urine sample and at least just drop that off to the vet. A noticeable increase in water intake should be checked out. Could be something quite treatable but the sooner you know what is going on the better. Doesn't mean you need to worry though :) x There's a number of tests the vet can run in house on a urine sample too....pH, sugars, protein etc. so I have found the cost to be very reasonable. Just had a urinalysis done for one of my cats who is recovering from a UTI. For $26 it was really worth it to know the results were all clear. I was considering a diet change if pH was high, for example, but all is fine. Edited March 31, 2012 by The Spotted Devil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lhok Posted March 31, 2012 Author Share Posted March 31, 2012 Lhok personally I would take a urine sample and at least just drop that off to the vet. A noticeable increase in water intake should be checked out. Could be something quite treatable but the sooner you know what is going on the better. Doesn't mean you need to worry though :) x There's a number of tests the vet can run in house on a urine sample too....pH, sugars, protein etc. so I have found the cost to be very reasonable. Just had a urinalysis done for one of my cats who is recovering from a UTI. For $26 it was really worth it to know the results were all clear. I was considering a diet change if pH was high, for example, but all is fine. Ahh ok. Thanks will get it done thanks :) --Lhok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 Hope it's something simple :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SchnauzerMax Posted March 31, 2012 Share Posted March 31, 2012 If she is drinking twice her normal amount of water and her urine analysis comes back in the normal range then there is quite possible a problem which will need further investigation. I too hope it's something simple. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poodle wrangler Posted April 1, 2012 Share Posted April 1, 2012 The first thing that comes to mind is possible diabetes in older dog. Urine sample - as already suggested- will give useful info. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lhok Posted April 2, 2012 Author Share Posted April 2, 2012 Thanks for the suggestions :) Just an update Well tried to get a urine sample proved to be the most difficult thing in the world. I spent the best part of my sunday trying to get one but she wouldn't co operate (smart ass of a hubby said she was playing an april fools day joke on me). Took her into the vets today and still nothing . They are going to try and get one tomorrow, according to them she isn't as hydrated as she could be and I have to keep her with me as much as possible in case I can get a sample. Fingers crossed I can get this sample and we can find out what is wrong I also noticed she is panting a fair bit too --Lhok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 Thinking of you. Urine sampling can be difficult , I know! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted April 2, 2012 Share Posted April 2, 2012 So much easier with cats (if you have the right equipment) or male dogs like mine that love to lift their leg! Good luck Lhok - I, too, hope it's something simple. And kudos to you for picking up on the water intake. 9/10ths of being a good owner is being observant I reckon :) x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MelodysMum Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 (edited) Is she desexed? A dog with pyometra will have a dramatically increased water intake. I hope it isn't that, but the increased water intake was the first thing I noticed when my girl Brianna had pyometra in November. I hope it is nothing serious! Edited April 3, 2012 by WendyH Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lhok Posted April 3, 2012 Author Share Posted April 3, 2012 WendyH Yup Mischief is desexed :) so at least it isn't Pyometra, lucky she is as I would never have thought of that otherwise. :) Thanks for thinking of us everyone I will let you know how it goes after the vet visit today :) --Lhok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espinay2 Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 (edited) A tip for collecting urine samples. Depending on the size of the dog, use a ladle or large serving/cooking spoon with the handle bent up. Easier to put under the dog than trying to get under with a jar or sample cup and a lot of dogs find it less 'invasive' than having you leaning down close with your hand under. The size compared to something bigger too means that most of the time they dont even know it is there. Just remember to have a jar ready with the lid off (learnt that one from experience ) to make transfer of the sample easy! Edited April 3, 2012 by espinay2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mim Posted April 3, 2012 Share Posted April 3, 2012 I just had to collect urine samples from my girls last week. Best bet is to follow her out first thing after she wakes up and use a container with low edges. If you have an old frying pan then they work a treat :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lhok Posted April 3, 2012 Author Share Posted April 3, 2012 Back from the vet Managed to get a sample today, it didn't show up anything too concerning so they have taken some blood to get that checked out and to rule out anything. --Lhok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lhok Posted April 4, 2012 Author Share Posted April 4, 2012 Another update Bloods came back clear for liver and kidneys, they also said that she has a low neutrophil count. Not quite sure what that means and stupid me forgot to ask as I was relieved that it came back clear. Not quite sure why she is drinking lots of water though so I have to keep my eye on it and if anything else changes to let them know. --Lhok Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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