Brooke had gastro enteritis last week (see post below) and now I can't get her to drink water. She is being fed small amounts of id diet. Last night as a last resort to her going back into the vets and being put on a drip I gave her two thirds water to one third milk but am worried it will upset her stomach again. She would also love a cup of tea!!!!!!!!!!! Should I give in and give her the milky water or tea?
She is still lively and well in her self but I would be happier if she'd drink!!!!!!!!
Have spoken to the vets and they want to see her tomorrow whatever happens.

Nicolla, many dogs are intolerant of lactose (the sugar in milk) so I'd avoid milk if possible, but if she won't take anything else (and your vet agrees) I'd get fluids in any way I could. If she will drink tea let her have as much as she will take and if she prefers milk in it, a spot shouldn't do any harm (most of mine would be in a bad way before they refused tea or coffee). You could also try some water with sugar which will get some calories into her too. Best of luck.

I was always told to give the children 'flat ' lemonade or flat coke to keep sugar levels up --I don't know if its the same for dogs ( somebody please correct me if I'm wrong ) will she take ice cubes ?
hth
Liz :)

Liz, yes flat lemonade is a fairly good rehydration mixture. For a home made rehydration solution mix ½ teaspoon of salt, ½ teaspoon of baking soda and 4 tablespoons of sugar in 2 pints of boiling water and allow it to cool. Or Nicolla could get Dioralyte from the chemist. No idea what tea would taste like in theose concoctions tho'. :)

Hi Nicolla, you could also try glucose or honey added to the water. Or make a meat/chicken stock with meat or bones or a veg one. I`ve had good success with the stock especially if it`s made with roast chicken/meat bones and it has the benefit of containg lots of nutrients, I also add a carrot,potato,turnip & garlic to make the stock. Raw egg is also liquid & you can lightly scramble/poach if you don`t fancy raw. Poach white fish or chicken & give that with the liquid. I found feeding a dry food when my dogs were ill a nightmare cos I had the same prob with them not drinking. You have to get liquids down anyway you can & I`ve found with my lot the chicken stock went down better than anything. Good luck.
Christine, Spain.

Hi,
tell me to shut up if i am wrong here, but isnt tea a diuretic, and if so, wouldnt taht make her want to pee more, adn there fore dehydrate her further?
I know it has that effect on me!!!!

Emma

It's a very mild diuretic Emma, but the effect you mention comes more from the water than the tea. Take it you like a big cup and a refill or two? ;) :)

Hope Brook will soon start to feel better soon.

How did the vets go ?

Lucy

Just back from the vets and they are pleased with how Brooke is looking.
She was really funny as when we turned into the vets she started to cry and then refused to get out of the car! Once I'd extracted her from the car, we went into the vets and everyone who spoke to her was greeted with a growl and she hid behind me. She was good for the vet but had her eyes firmly fixed on the exit!!!!!!!! I've never heard Brooke growl before but judging by her behaviour this morning there was no way she was staying again!!!!!!
Thanks for everyones suggestions, Brooke has been drinking milky water (no upset stomach and vet says its fine), stock and cups of tea (and no she won't have a cup of tea from a dog bowl she has to have it from a cup and preferably the one I'm drinking from!)
We have to go back to the vets Friday and hopefully she will be feeling much better by then.

Well we are off back to the vets today as Brooke has now got major diarrhoea, as has her 9 week old puppy River.
Would normally just stop feeding them for 24 hrs but after last week I think we should just go straight to the vet.

Oh nicolla, hope they are both ok - let us know how they get on - Julie:(

Back from the vets again. (I'm going to move in soon)!!!!!!!!!!
Both Brooke and River are to be starved for 24 hrs and back into vets tomorrow. If theres's no change by then they will both be hospitalised for the weekend on drips.

Oh bless them. I hope that it will soon sort itself out and both Brooke and River will soon be back to good health.

Lucy

Just to say Brooke and River have both been given the all clear today from the vet.

That is good news. I bet you are relieved :D

Lucy

Hi Nicolla, As having doctored dogs in past with Salmon Poison and other illness that caused them not to drink. I used a syringe and placed water every 20 mins till the dog dranked on her own. i also used Pedialyte as that helps with the dehydration if it has occured. Hope this advice helps and wishes your pet well..