Excessive thirst after neutering?

    • Gold Top Dog

    Excessive thirst after neutering?

    Flapjack went in for neutering yesterday.  We picked him up about 3 pm, and ever since then he is drinking A LOT of water.  I have a large bowl down (a large mixing bowl size), and he drank 2 entire bowls before I took it away!  Then he wanted to go out, and spent the whole time eating snow frantically.  I gave him a bowl of ice cubes, which he wolfed down.  I have been giving him small amounts of water every hour or so since then, but he is absolutely fixated on the water dish.  He wasn't interested in eating last night.
    Anyone have any ideas about this?  I have had many dogs neutered or spayed over the years, but I have never had one act like this.  He is about 14 yrs old, could his age have anything to do with it?  Other than the thirst, he is acting ok.  Obviously in some pain, but ok.  Thanks in advance.
    • Gold Top Dog
    This is one I would call and ask the vet about.  I've not seen this with my own dogs either.  Maybe a reaction to the anesthia?  Maybe the start of a UTI?  I'd call and ask.
     
    Sorry I can't be more help.
    • Gold Top Dog
    I ended up taking Flapjack to the vet this morning, after he wouldn't eat breakfast and still was VERY thirsty.
    She said he was dehydrated, a complication common in older animals when subjected to anesthesia.  Apparently he was not given IV fluid support during his operation at the shelter.  Anyway, after some sub-q fluids, he ate a small lunch and a normal dinner, and is acting much more like himself!  Yay!  I have been feeling so guilty about putting such an old man through surgery.  It helps to see him begin to recover.
    • Gold Top Dog
    I'm glad he's all better!! If it were me, I'd let the shelter know what happened... not putting an old guy like him on IV fluids during surgery seems like asking for trouble.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Thank you for letting us know what it was. I was worried about him!

    And I didn't know that anesthesia could cause that kind of a reaction. You have just added to my general knowledge, thanks![:D]