Having just posted how good my oldies health is, Last night  just before bed I saw her drink half a bowl of water and then this morning she has done the same twice. I have not noticed an increase in water consumption before. Could it just be because it was hot yesterday. I will take her to the vet ASAP but am working all day today so it wont be until tomorrow. She seems otherwise well. Had a walk and ate her brekkie as normal.

An unusual sudden increase in thirst can often indicate an infection...in a bitch commonly a pyometra.

A slowly increasing thirst is often a metabolic disorder like diabetes.

She is spayed so I know its not Pyo. Will call vet and see if I can get her there in my lunch break. Problem with working on my own is no-one to cover if I need an hour  off :(

The other worry would be failing kidneys, as death by natural causes in an oldie is likely to be from one of the major Organs failing.

Thought I had better update this. I didn't visit the vet in the end because it turned out the excessive water consumption was linked to an incident involving my daughter, an open cupboard and an excessive consumption of dry dog food. Daughter forgot to tell me that she left the cupboard open and Ellie had helped herself to a large quantity of dry kibble. Good to know that Ellie's appetite is still ok :) Water consumption is now back to the normal level.

You were extremely lucky that she didn't bloat. At work we've had a to operate to try to save a couple of dogs who've done this; one survived (with a vet bill of nearly £1000 - the other sadly died. :-( Please rearrange your food storage so that you never run the risk a third time. I can't stress enough how dangerous this can be.