VERY ill dog, possible arthritis

Elle7

That's great news
I'm very glad he drank. Apparantly dogs prefer cool (not cold) water, rather then room temp, so you might be able to tempt him with that again later.
Make sure he still takes it slowly, don't let him run or jump around too much, but it really sounds like he is on the up. Maybe he just needed to get hydrated to start feeling a bit better.

Fingers crossed he keeps on getting better

Padstow

Elle7 wrote: »

That's great news
I'm very glad he drank. Apparantly dogs prefer cool (not cold) water, rather then room temp, so you might be able to tempt him with that again later.
Make sure he still takes it slowly, don't let him run or jump around too much, but it really sounds like he is on the up. Maybe he just needed to get hydrated to start feeling a bit better.

Fingers crossed he keeps on getting better

I made the mistake myself, of becoming dehydrated when going through a bad time, and felt very depressed indeed. So the same could happen to a dog.

I wonder if you are feeding dry food? If so, you may wish to try wet in tins. That at least will get some moisture into him.

I too hope he's on the mend.

MILLYMOLLY

Padstow wrote: »

I made the mistake myself, of becoming dehydrated when going through a bad time, and felt very depressed indeed. So the same could happen to a dog.

I wonder if you are feeding dry food? If so, you may wish to try wet in tins. That at least will get some moisture into him.

I too hope he's on the mend.

At the moment he's having finely chopped beef but i'll put gravy with it and i'll get some tins later thanks, he is staying awake longer and not crying like he was

Padstow

MILLYMOLLY wrote: »

At the moment he's having finely chopped beef but i'll put gravy with it and i'll get some tins later thanks, he is staying awake longer and not crying like he was

How old is he MillyMolly?

myway_2

Bless him glad his seem's to be feeling better:).
I find with my dog's when they don't want to drink i give them the water from the veg, They seem to lap it up also a very well watered down stock cube work's for mine. I no it's not that good for them but now and again won't hurt;).

tankgirl1

I'm glad he seems to be on the mend OP!

One thing to mention, and your vets probably told you this but anyway, do not give him metacam on an empty stomach - it could cause ulcers and make him feel pretty rough. As long has he has eaten just before you have given it, then it should be fine, but a few dogs still get upset stomachs from it.

If you are in any doubt, get him back to the vets - perhaps go to a private vets for a second opinion.

Metacam datasheet

MILLYMOLLY

Thanks they said mix it with his food

jumpedtheshark

When my dog has been very sick, I've tempted her with bits of ham dropped into a small water bowl. She's lapped a little to try to get the ham. I've also got down on my hands and knees and pretended to slurp at the water myself to encourage her. I've also stewed steak in water just deeper than the steak, fed her the steak first, and then given her the warm 'broth' (too thin to be more than flavoured water, really) to drink. I've also added water to dry food, and microwaved it a tiny bit - the smell can encourage them.

I would get a second opinion regarding the arthritis and any other potential issues, as it sounds like quite an extreme reaction just to be the initial onset of arthritis. If you're worried about cost - we don't have insurance, and our dog has a host of medical issues - you can always get referred to a non-profit teaching practice for an expert second opinion. We've been seen at the RVC for a couple of different issues, and would rate some there very good, some excellent. It might be expensive, but at least you know they're not trying to make money from you and they're genuinely expert.

*Robin*

jumpedtheshark wrote: »

I would get a second opinion regarding the arthritis and any other potential issues, as it sounds like quite an extreme reaction just to be the initial onset of arthritis.

I agree with ^^^ this. Three of my dogs are pensioners; 13, 14, & 15 years old, and they all have a degree of arthritis which is well controlled with glucosamine - the two eldest are just getting a bit reluctant to do ten mile walks!
In each case the arthritis came on very gradually - what you have described, OP, sounds very different.

I have found melting a spoonful of honey and adding it to the dog's water is an effective way of getting him/her to drink, and has the added benefit that honey is a medicinal food.
(I have tried putting pieces of meat in the bowl - the dogs always show great ingenuity in spilling out the water to get the meat without 'dunking' for it :rotfl: ).

Anyway, can you get a second opinion from another vet?

elliesmemory1

You really should go back to your vet. It sounds like he needs further investigation. If it is arthritis the are other options than metacam.
It may be that the metacam does not suit him, Thevet can also give you some sachets of lectade which will help stop him from getting dehydrated. Please take him back to the vet.