I haven't seen him drink water in a few days and his urine has a stronger than usually odor. how can I tell if he is dehydrated or has an infection?
Also our cat died last week. can this have anything to do with him not drinking? They weren't real close but now he is the only four legged friend in the house.
2006-09-01 11:08:12 · 7 answers · asked by MellyK1234 3 in Pets ➔ Dogs
You can tell if he is dehydrated by pulling up on his skin and if it kind of stays that way he is dehydrated. Look inside his mouth and see how much moisture he has, if it is kind of dry and tacky then he is dehydrated. Animals mourn their pals death. Play more with him and spend more time with him to help him. Offer him cool water often. The more water he drinks the better it will be. If he isn't dehydrated then he has a bladder or urinary infection and you will need to take him to the vet. Good luck.
2006-09-01 11:12:32 · answer #1 · answered by bcringler 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I would definetly get him to the vet. Usually if a dog has a UTI they will have very strong smelling urine, but they will also drink alot. If he is dehydrated you will feel it in his skin. If you pull up on it and it does not go back to the normal position right away it is possible that he is dehydrated. I would not think the loss of the cat is the reason for not drinking, but I suppose it is possible. Usually under stress a dog wont eat though.....but you didnt mention whether or not he was eating.
It is definetly worth getting him checked out and I wouldnt wait too long.
2006-09-01 18:15:02 · answer #2 · answered by danielle5247 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Make sure his nose is moist and yes, pinching up some skin on his back is a good way of checking, it should go right back down, if it takes some time, he's dehydrated. The one good thing here is that even though his urine is strong, it's there. If he is urinating normally, it shows he's drinking something.
Watch to make sure he continues urinating, if you notice he stops that as well... I'd be concerned, and I'd see the vet.
2006-09-01 18:15:58 · answer #3 · answered by Gloria H 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If you lift skin by his scruff and it doesn't snap back, kinda stays put, the dog is dehydrated. Also look at his gums...do they look moist, does the color come back after you press on them? If no to either, something's wrong. Look at his eyes...do they look normal, or are they starting to look sunken in? Look at the skin in he ears...how does that look? If there is any yellowing, he's in kidney failure and needs to go to the vet immediately. Being that his urine smells stronger than normal, you really should get him in for a checkup asap, but if any of the above are abnormal, you need to get him in right away.
2006-09-01 18:15:16 · answer #4 · answered by talented mrs v 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't know much about doggy dehydration but one way I get my dog to "drink" water in the summer is to feed her ice cubes. She likes chewing on them but often swallows them whole and that way I know she's getting some water. I know that my mom just recently had to put one of her cats to sleep and her other cat has been mourning ever since so I'm sure it's similar with dogs. Good luck with everything, I'm sorry about your cat!
2006-09-01 19:00:45 · answer #5 · answered by ndpndntjn 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
When a dog mourns the death of a playmate, it is not unusual for him to not eat or drink for a few days.
Try giving him water with an eye dropper every few hours. He'll feel better and enjoy the attention.
2006-09-01 18:16:23 · answer #6 · answered by A Great Dane Lady 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
pull on the skin of his back. if it stands up, he is dehydrated. get him to the vet for fluids.
2006-09-01 18:11:04 · answer #7 · answered by Queen of the Dachshunds 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋