Water and the dog

• 05-07-2008 3:59 PM

  In reply to VanMorrison

  DPU Joined on 09-19-2006 Indiana Posts 4,149 Points 335

  Re: Water and the dog Reply Contact  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.

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• 05-08-2008 1:29 AM

  In reply to DPU

  brookcove Joined on 09-10-2007 Semora, North Carolina, USA Posts 3,763 Points 335

  Re: Water and the dog Reply Contact 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.  Becca Shouse Maggie and Zhi (queen bees), Ben, Gus, Cord, Rocky, Ted (BCs), Lu and Tully (Maremma flock guardians) Irena Farm, Semora, NC

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• 05-08-2008 11:27 AM

  In reply to brookcove

  mudpuppy Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 5,227 Points 100	Re: Water and the dog Reply Contact 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?
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• 05-08-2008 11:39 AM

  In reply to mudpuppy

  corgipower Joined on 09-10-2007 new jersey Posts 763 Points 0

  Re: Water and the dog Reply Contact I had a dog who drank excessively for a couple weeks. We ran medical tests and they were all normal. She was a high-strung dog, and there had been some changes around the house. Drinking was absolutely a stress relief. With your dog, I would think that once he settles in better there should be improvement. Morgan used to be a compulsive water drinker - all medical tests were normal. The vet asked me to measure how much water she was drinking in a day. I stopped giving her water after 8 cups (for a 20 pound dog). She had caused about a dozen floods from peeing it out and it was getting closer to bed time. Later on she developed more symptoms of a hormone imbalance and while nothing ever showed up on tests, after spaying her, her water intake has dropped considerably. Proud member of the tenth place CISRA 2008 team!! tweleve.org corgipower.com My Dog Votes!

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• 05-10-2008 3:49 PM

  In reply to mudpuppy

  DPU Joined on 09-19-2006 Indiana Posts 4,149 Points 335

  Re: Water and the dog Reply Contact 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.

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• 07-01-2008 7:09 AM

  In reply to DPU

  DPU Joined on 09-19-2006 Indiana Posts 4,149 Points 335

  Re: Water and the dog Reply Contact 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.... Thank you for helping me find my forever home with the Burkes they really do love me.   Love, Sampson & Mom(Annette) P.S. Mom just told me that we are going to the woods today for our walk I am so excited

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• 07-01-2008 5:04 PM

  In reply to DPU

  luvmyswissy Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 1,428 Points 25	Re: Water and the dog Reply Contact How nice DPU, you must be so proud of Sampson.  Another dog happily rehomed - you are awesome!
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• 07-01-2008 5:29 PM

  In reply to luvmyswissy

  VanMorrison Joined on 07-02-2007 Probably North of you... Posts 946 Points 685	Re: Water and the dog Reply Contact Sniff......   G'Boy Sampson!   Thanks for all that you do DPU, including inspiring others to help as they can.
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• 07-01-2008 6:09 PM

  In reply to VanMorrison

  Liesje Joined on 03-02-2007 Grand Rapids, Michigan Posts 6,442 Points 750	Re: Water and the dog Reply Contact Wow he looks beautiful and well adjusted!  good work!  My Blog - http://24ft.dutchbingo.net My Site - http://liesrosema.com
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• 07-02-2008 8:27 PM

  In reply to Liesje

  kpwlee Joined on 06-17-2006 North Carolina Posts 3,250 Points 355	Re: Water and the dog Reply Contact  Congrats Sampson - and you too Dave!
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• 07-02-2008 8:58 PM

  In reply to kpwlee

  DPU Joined on 09-19-2006 Indiana Posts 4,149 Points 335

  Re: Water and the dog Reply Contact 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.

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• 07-03-2008 1:21 PM

  In reply to DPU

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 9,763 Points 710

  Re: Water and the dog Reply Contact  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.  Regional Director for Massachusetts, International Positive Dog Training Association Director, SeniorCare Pawsitive Connections Program AKC CGC Evaluator #3669 Therapy Dogs, Inc. Tester/Observer Sioux, CGC, TDInc. Maska, CGC, TDInc. Sequoyah, CGC Fergie, Retired Lap Dog, Age 19 Dancer, CGC, TDInc. Lifetime Heart Dog - RIP "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George "The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." ~ Konrad Lorenz

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