OK just need reassurance, our boy was operated on today, still very groggy.
Water bowl taken up at 7am, normally drinks after meals (kibble) & occasionally through the day, but has not drunk that I'm aware of since last evening. Has had a small evening meal & as yet shown no interest in drinking.
Previously when our dogs have undergone surgery, they've had a drink soon after getting home. Have begun syringing small amounts into his mouth, realise all dogs are different but is this 'normal', if anything is normal after surgery?
Many thanks.

Sometimes a few drops of milk into the water may tempt them to drink

Jodi, thank you. Not having had this problem before, stupidly he's had a small meal of kibble but didn't add water!

If mine's not drinking I try a bit of milk or tea in the water, or  licks of an ice cube.

St. Domingo. Thank you, he's snoring well with his new chew firmly clenched in his mouth, continuing to syringe but when he next gets up to go out will try as you've suggested.

I always have a bottle of Oralade Hydrate in stock. The last time I bought a case, but my vet stocks this product and previously I have had single bottles from there. I find it useful for pre and post op hydration, and I also use it to make sure my veterans stay hydrated at shows in the Summer. It is expensive for a bottle of drink, but it can stand some dilution whilst seeming to keep its meaty flavour.

Bone broth is good for hydration but take a bit tof time to make Although I am sure u know someone who can oblige :) . hopefully all this well with him this morning

I've just emailed you Lacy.  Sorry I missed you call last evening.

For others - after a g/a a dog may well be feeling 'icky and for that reason, I only ever offer half a dish of water (or make it available to use at will) because it may well 'come back'.   I make up some scrambled egg, or poached chicken breast, with liquid, and that may or may not be eaten.  What a dog recovering from surgery needs is warmth and quiet for the evening afterwards.   More than anything.   If anybody is worried about any aspect of a patient recovering after surgery, the vet is the person to advise.   My opinion.

ps   Depending on the nature of the surgery, most patients are pretty much up and 'functioning' the following morning.

I agree mamabas. I usually give cooked chicken boneless as u suggest or cooked white fish once they're want to eat with a little of.the cooking water . I also use milk thistle to support the liver for a short while after GA. Hydration as per previous suggestions although I wouldnt t worry for one night if all other signs are good

Thank you all, wouldn't show any interest in added milk or tea so continued to syringe, my mistake not having had this before didn't add water to last evenings kibble but we've survived the night! Bodily functions OK & he's drunk water. Fast asleep snorring still, now just 9 days of hell with the lampshade.
Jan, he had/was entropian on his lower lids, due to his other problems/concerns had delayed surgery but had begun to effect his cornea, so surgery yesterday. Shocked when given the account, as a third of what was expecting & less than one eye that had been quoted to us at his previous surgery! Yes aware of cooked chicken, fish, rice or potato but our previous boys always reacted badly to a change of diet after surgery, one lives & learns.

Glad to hear that he is on the mend.  They are such a worry.

We have a bitch who can refuse water if she is feeling poorly or after surgery. We poach a chicken breast and offer her just the water it was poached in. She has never refused it. Ideally we also feed the chicken too but even if we don't the water is always welcomed by them.

Thank you all, has been drinking well through out the day so far & already pestering for his evening meal.
Far more alert this afternoon, but also very whiny & needy.

Again - see, after a g/a they often feel icky and the last thing they need IS water............   That kind of surgery isn't invasive in the same way a spay surgery, for instance, is.   But it still means a g/a.   With our Frankie, he's always difficult after surgery .... we use Kalm Aid to help shut up the whining/needy.   Men eh.

Are you able to use the soft roll type collars to keep him off the stitches?  They are generally better for those vertically challenged which the Clumber will be - just like the Basset!

Jan, used soft blow up collars for years.
Vet wasn't impressed with the suggestion as some dogs can reach around them. Have cut down the lamp shade but driving him mad. getting caught in the house, in the garden & going demented attempting to remove it, so today he's been wearing the blow up collar. Sadly Clumber legs are longer than Bassets & I wouldn't leave him alone with it on.
Will the kalm Aid work on husbands, LOL ?

I have to say that despite being next to me 24/7, with no collar on, when I managed to actually nod off overnight the ONE time, Mannie managed to scratch out the third eyelid tacking which he had to have done as a 'bandage' to help an ulcerated cornea heal.   Thankfully when my then vet looked at what he'd done, the ulcer had been almost cured, so he didn't need to repeat the stitching across.

So his longer legs allow him to get to the stitches round the eye - with his back legs?   Hobble him

Husband and Kalm Aid - worth a try (not!).