Water and the dog

 Thanks all, it is getting better and the drinking has reduced but he is still drinking a lot.  After watching him now for 3 or 4 weeks, I am thinking drinking water is his coping mechanism for stress.  He is just now getting more relaxed and starting to play tug with Petro.  I inadvertently mistakenly stressed him a couple of times and that when I noticed afterwards he went to drinking a lot again.

Brookcove, Sampson has had urine analysis and bloodwork.  Would any of those test give an indication of an inflamed prostrate or is that something the vet would have to specifically test for.  Sampson came into our foster program already neutered.

VanMorrison, that is exactly what I do when Sampson is just standing there and drinking and drinking for the longest time.  The continuous laping up of water does test one's patience, especially when you are thinking it is not good for the dog.  I say "thats eeeeenough" in a song tone and then he stops and comes to me.  He eventually moseys on back but the  drinking is not that long. 

I wouldn't stress too much about it.  Water drinking evidently makes him go to his happy place.  Think of all the other creative methods foster dogs use to cope.  I'll pick water drinking unless I lived in a Manhattan apartment 50 floors from the potty break area!  It really sounds like he suffered water deprivation in a previous environment.  This can take up to a couple of months for him to both destress and get used to the idea that the water really isn't going away.  Imagine if a particular pay telephone shocked you every time you touched it.   How long would it take to get over that unpleasant association even when using other random pay telephones? 

If he's been neutered for a while, then he should be all right.  Ultrasound is the only definitive diagnostic tool other than direct examination (surgical), for mild inflammation.  X-rays can pick up moderate to severe inflammation, and palpation can detect these stages too - mostly palpation is looking for the assymetrical swelling typical of cystitis or tumors. 

maybe you could try giving him a big block of ice in the bowl to lick? the licking act may help him de-stress much as the drinking, without him taking in much water?

mudpuppy

maybe you could try giving him a big block of ice in the bowl to lick? the licking act may help him de-stress much as the drinking, without him taking in much water?

In his kennel, I gave Sampson his water bowl, huge bowl-a lot of water. I have been gauging his progress by how much he leaves by the time I get home.  I also gave him a huge bowl of water that I froze.  When I got home both bowls were pretty close to empty. 

I thought I would share with you a note I received from Sampson adoptive family.  I was so worried about this guy regressing and now I am so happy.  Have a good life Sampson.  So worth it.

 I just want to let you know that Sampson is doing awsome with his new family. He was just saying how he loved having the kids who absoulutly adore him and try to ride him like a horse and the cats he really wants to play with but he knows that it will still take some time for them to warm up to him. He also wanted to say that he is doing great over night about peeing in the house he was embarrased that he had an accident on the first night but has been great everyother day and now for the last few days has been holding all through the night (Dad and Mom are so proud of me). I am starting to get a little  more active but when I am left alone I have a habit to get into trouble But i am still trying to learn the ropes. Mom told me there is no use to try and gate in the kitchen and front room because I jump it anyways. so know I free roam of the whole house and most of the time i will be laying  on mom and dads bed. Life is good....

How nice DPU, you must be so proud of Sampson.  Another dog happily rehomed - you are awesome!

Sniff......   G'Boy Sampson!

Thanks for all that you do DPU, including inspiring others to help as they can.

Wow he looks beautiful and well adjusted!  good work! 

 Congrats Sampson - and you too Dave!

You know, people ask me how can you foster, don't you fall for the dog and then can't give up the dog.  Sampson wanted to fix his issue but needed help.  I was sad/happy to see him go but when I received that note and the attached pictures, my eyes were burning all day.  The pictures of the two little girls sitting on Sampson while one of them flops his ears, makes fostering and rehab so worth it. 

I do want to thank all that helped me in understanding this condition and the suggestions made to help in the issue's resolve.  All's well that ends well, which means that problems do not matter so long as the outcome is good.

 I just want to add that, as a person who has adopted a formerly fostered dog, I'm grateful there are people doing it, too.  Even though she eventually gave him back to the local shelter, my dog would have ended up at the big open admission shelter if she hadn't taken him in.  As it is, instead of ending up in the dead bin (people weren't adopting him because he howled all the time at the shelter), he is now a therapy dog, a valued member of my family, and has been with me for nearly six years, where he will stay!  And, he only howls once in a while - most of the time, he just lays around like the great couch spud that he is.  However, he does have one odd habit.  He won't drink water all day - saves his thirst up and drinks between 5 and about 7:30 at night.  Been doing it since he got here.