My 9 year old lab has suddenly started drinking like it is going out of fashion. Consequently she is also weeing a lot in the process. This is concerning me a little as I would have thought she would drink less in the winter. She didn't seem to drink this much when it was warm in the summer. Am I just worrying unnecessarily or has anyone had a similar problem? Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I would consult your vet - excessive drinking in middle-aged dogs could be a symptom of a number of different conditions eg diabetes, Cushings Syndrome, kidney trouble. Also if your Lab has not been spayed, then there is the possibility of pyometra (womb infection) Best to get it checked out asap

Jane

Hi JC, yes a trip to the vet cos drinking excessively can be a symptom of several things. You could measure the amount of water you put in her bowl so you can tell the vet the amount she is drinking which will help the vet to determine just how excessive the drinking is.
Christine, Spain.

Thank you for your replies. She has been spayed, so that should rule out the pyometra. She is due at the vets shortly anyway for an unrelated matter, so I will mention it then. She seems a little sluggish, but I put that down to the fact that she seems to be suffering with her arthritis. In light of what you have said I will definitely get her checked out. Could you enlighten me, what is cushings syndrome?

Hi JC, here are some links on Cushings.
http://www.io.com/~lolawson/cushings/
http://www.vetmed.auburn.edu/sac/mededu/cushings/home.html
http://www.vetinfo.com/dcushing.html
Christine, Spain.

Hi there,

Nobody wants to scare you but any change in your dog is always best checked my a vet..so straight to the vet.

Some of the symptoms you mention I believe are also symptoms of Pyometra.

Has your bitch recently had a season?

Let us know once the vet has checked her over.

BFN

PS Just read your post so ignore mine LOL
Pam

Just to let you know that after the excessive drinking, my lab had an afternoon of throwing up 8 times in three hours. She went to the vet at the earliest opportunity who believed she may have eaten something and caused herself to have colic. I have noticed some weight loss in Tara, even before the sickness incident. The vet took some blood and it transpires she does have a liver problem. She's going back to the vet tomorrow to start some treatment. He has also mentioned that she may have to go on a low fat diet. Can anyone recommend any foods to me? I just want to get her better as she is a very sad lab at the moment.

Hi JC, sorry about your lab, nothing worse than a sad dog. Why not wait till the results come back & let us know the results & maybe someone can come up with something to help.
Christine, Spain.

I would agree with one of the other posts drinking excessively could indicate some kidney problems better go see your vet and have it checked out