Hi everyone, Well, you already know my story about Bella and her MCT. Still waiting for results and trying to cope. Here’s her latest issue: she is not interested in water. She will eat ice, drink chicken broth, and eat canned food (giving for the water) but is still uninterested in water. However, appetite is normal. Ever experienced this after anesthetics? I did call the vet tonight and they aren’t concerned at this point. They said some dogs come down differently from anesthetics and that her throat could be raw from the breathing tube. Yet, I remain nervous. After being gone this evening for a couple hours, Bella does seem more herself, alert, and energetic which was comforting to see. However, I just gave her the next dosage of pain, antibiotics, and Benadryl so she may be looped again shortly. I feel I am supplementing sufficiently to keep dehydration away. I wish I could relax.
Totally fine for her to get her fluids that way, with stock or moist food. I was expecting to read that she was refusing to drink anything, so I was relieved to read your post Both my Labradors have refused to drink water on road trips. We take cartons of stock for them or tetra packs of long life milk. I think they’re just out of their routine and need something a bit more tempting for whatever reason. It never worries me and I wouldn’t worry about Bella either. Actually sounds like she’s recovering rather well after the op.
Thank you! This gives my worried mind a bit of peace tonight! I need to get it together. Lol I just love my girl so much.❤️
Sounds fine, like Rachael says. Another think folk have tried to increase water intake is to put a few flakes of tuna in the water bowl. Sometimes works. I always just mix plenty of water in my girls food. Hope all is fine this morning and you had a settled night.
It's good that's she is drinking. I quite often put in tuna flakes if my girl isn't drinking enough - always gets her drinking.
This works really well for Willow. Shadow looks at me like I'm trying to poison him. The same as his "broccoli face"
From what you describe, it does sound as if she is having sufficient liquid in the other things she is having, so I wouldn't worry. You could try adding a little water to her tinned food if you are very worried. I used to have two Labs, but since the one that died, my present one never seems to drink water, I throw it away every day! He does have some water on his kibble. I find he prefers rain water, am wondering whether to give him water out of the water butt! I could buy him bottled water but then would be adding to the unnecessary plastic heap in the world. He seems fine though. So try not to worry. If the worst came to the worst (it won't ) you could always get a syringe from the vet and gently squirt some water into the side of her mouth, but I am quite sure this will not be needed!
Thank you all for the tips and reassurance. I woke up this morning to find Bella had taken her t-shirt off on her own....she is wearing one to keep her from licking her lower incision since she can’t wear her E-collar (incision on neck). After seeing this I laughed and knew today would be better. I am not sure how she got the t shirt off but you know how labs can be...smart smart smart. Better news...Bella is back to herself or close to it and drank water!!! I am so relieved. I am the worrying type, can you tell? One hurdle down in this journey...feeling more peace this morning. Thank you again! Jenny
That's good to hear ! I think we are all worriers at heart , glad that she is recovering well , and drinking x
Yep, Cassie prefers to drink from the bowl I have in the garden, rarely uses the one in the kitchen and then mostly in the evening when the house is warm.
