Sometimes causes of excessive thirst in dogs may be just to satisfy a temporary craving which could be totally harmless or it could mean a serious medical problem. A sudden thirst is one of the symptoms of many illnesses but this, on its own, does not necessarily mean that you have a sick dog on your hands. This could simply mean your dog’s response to seasonal or physical changes.
If your dog is on any medication, certain side effects to these medications such as steroids, anti-convulsants and diuretics can be one of the causes of excessive thirst in dogs. But if any of these reasons do not immediately spring to mind, you could have a sick dog on your hands and your best friend could be suffering from one of any number of ailments such as liver disease, kidney failure, Cushing’s syndrome, hypoadrenocorticism, hyperthyroidism, cancer, uterine infection (pyometra), fever or poisoning.
You should never deprive your dog of fresh water and it might be prudent to measure how much your dog consumes if he is drinking more than you think is healthy. In this case your dog’s access to sources of water should be restricted. This will enable you to monitor his intake more accurately. For instance, after 24 hours, measure the water left in the bowl and subtract it from the total.
After this access is restricted, your dog should also be checked for dehydration by gently lifting the skin, between his shoulder blades, and then letting it go. If the skin is not as supple and returns slowly to its position, it could be that your dog is dehydrated. This is one of the causes of excessive thirst in dogs so the advice of a vet should be sought, as a matter of importance. If all seems normal then your pet’s appetite should be closely monitored and his daily habits taken into account to see if there are any drastic changes. Once again, if you notice any changes your vet should be consulted.
If your dog becomes lethargic, begins vomiting and urinates more than usual, this is another time to contact your vet. Puppies and older dogs should also be monitored closely as they could be vulnerable to dehydration. Again, any changes in their habits should be monitored closely.
By a process of elimination, your vet will be able to diagnose your dog’s condition after performing urine and blood tests and possible x-rays and maybe even an ultrasound examination. If your vet thinks this is necessary, intravenous fluids or fluids under the skin will be administered and, if severely incapacitated, your pet will need overnight hospitalisation for closer observation.
There are nearly 100 conditions that can be one of the causes of excessive thirst in dogs and although it may take time to diagnose the problem, it is known that many dogs respond well to the correct treatment.
