how long without drinking?

[PoodleMommy]

Chloe has not drank one sip from the time I picked her up last night... Im worried she is going to dehydrate... she is getting some liquid I guess because she is still eating the baby food (mix of yams and bananas)... she will eat like 5 or 6 kibble and that's it and I know her well enough to know this wont make her a picky dog so I think I am just gonna let her eat it for a few days, although there isnt much nutrition in that I suppose so maybe I will try to add some boiled chicken.

So anyway.... how long can she go without drinking? If she doesnt drink by this afternoon I guess I should call the ER vet (everyone else is closed due to the little blizzard the east decided was appropriate. ) I wish I could get out and get pedialyte or something, maybe I will try once they start to clear the roads a little.

 

[Barb04]

I'm wondering if you add some water to the baby food will she still eat it and get more liquid that way.

 

[PoodleMommy]

I'm wondering if you add some water to the baby food will she still eat it and get more liquid that way.

good idea! I am going to try that with her next meal. Thats why I love this place, quick advice at all hours.

 

[Grab]

Sometimes they're a little nauseous after surgery. Offering ice cubes can work, as they'll like them and get a bit of fluid, but not enough to make them feel ill. They're usually feeling well enough to drink by the next day, though.
I don't like to force fluids the first night, as they can sometimes vomit

 

[Dekka]

One trick I have found to get dogs to drink when they don't feel like it is to offer 'tuna water' If you have any cans of tuna, squeeze the water out and add some more water.

 

[Doberluv]

Good advice. Later this morning, give your vet a call and see what they say. Hopefully, soon, she'll start drinking a little more. Yeah, I wouldn't worry about making a picky eater either at a time like this. These little dogs need to keep a little something in them. Hope she'll perk up soon and want a little water or Gatoraide. It's sweet and she may like a few sips of that.

 

[PoodleMommy]

I finally got her to drink lots of water, lick a little KARO syrup and eat some of her own food.... her gums have now returned to a perfect color... thankfully and she peed for the first time since last night, this is a dog that never holds it more then two hours or so... poor thing is really acting like this took a lot out of her... I feel horrible she is stapled from one end to the other, Im gonna try and get pics in a few days... right now she has only ventured out of her crate once but it might be the pain meds I dont know... she is on them for 3 days.

 

[Artfish]

How about some real, homemade chicken soup? I kid you not, this is a great way to squeeze nutrition into a sick dog. Boil some chicken in water, add a little garlic, some carrots, leafy greens (bok choy is my fave and my dog approves), celery, NO ONION, and just let it simmer for awhile. Do NOT give the cooked bones, of course. This should convince any dog to eat and all this should supply enough nutrition to keep a dog going for a few days. You could probably mix this with canned food for longer term support but no, this is not intended as an actual dietary replacement, just temporary support/encouragement.

Hope she recovers quickly.