Sick Doodle --- Advice welcomed

[Lynne]

My Charley is a little over a year and a half old.  He is up to date on all shots and gets groomed regularly.  Last week I noticed he wasn't his normal self, sleeping a lot and not eating well.  So I took him to the vet.  He had a temp of 103.6 (that was last Thursday), so she ran some blood work and an urine analysis.  The blood work shows an elevated white blood count (infection??) and the urine analysis shows he has a UTI.  The other infection is respiratory he has a slight cough especially after he tries to bark, and he is producing some clear creamy mucus.  The Vet gave him a shot of penicillin and a shot of anti nausea meds as well as a prescription of antibiotics.  He has been taking the antibiotics since Friday and today is Monday; while I do see a slight improvement I am so worried because I can't get him to drink on his own (for the last two days).  He will take ice, and I have been using a syringe to get fluids into him (although I worry about choking him so I don't give him much).  Other things I have tried to increase his fluid intake are...1) no sodium chicken broth 2) fruit juice in his water (cranberry) 3) gatorade none of these things have enticed him.  The one thing that he likes is the frosty paws "ice cream" treat, but I am not sure if that is a good source of fluid for him.

I am feeding him a bland diet and mixing in some canned dog food, and he is eating a decent amount.  And he is still producing urine.  We go back to the vet on Wednesday, but I am so worried about his fluid intake...does anyone have any advice on other ways to get his fluid intake up?  

Thanks

[Deborah Brown]

Since he likes the frosty paws, maybe try some other frozen treats?  I used to mix canned pumpkin and plain yogurt and freeze in ice cube trays.  There is a lot of liquid in this type of treat.  However, since he takes ice cubes, I'd keep pushing those.  Make it seem like a treat, ie ask him to sit first.  

I'm sorry Charley is sick.  Hopefully, the meds will kick in and he will start feeling better.

[Lynne]

what is the ratio of the mix? He loves pumpkin, so this might really be something he would like.

[Deborah Brown]

I just mixed half and half but not with any precision.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Did you call the vet back and tell him he is not taking in fluids? A good bag of IV fluids might make a world of difference right now.  Hydration could be the turning point it sounds like you might need.

Call the vet about his fluid intake.

[Lynne]

I just spoke with the vet.  I am going to take him in this afternoon; hopefully with another urine specimen.   

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Good Lynne. I am so glad you are going back.  I'm sorry for you also, as for all your dog is going through. This must be so difficult. You do need some help in these situations. I'm hoping the vet can make him more comfortable and get him well soon.  Get some rest too

[Nicky, Riley & Boris]

When Boris was very ill I made a chicken broth with pieces of chicken and water and added some boiled white rice. It was very liquid and sloppy which gave him plenty of fluids.  You could also freeze chicken broth and give it as iced chips. The vet did tell me that had I not fed this every hour right through the night that he would have had to be taken in and put on a drip.  Good luck and I do hope he is well very soon.

[Heather & Brinkley]

Brinkley got pancreatitis a few times and he wouldn’t drink or eat much. He would eat chicken and a little bit of rice. We would do two things: 1) We’d go in every couple of days until he was better to get fluids put into him. They’d give him what we called his “camel hump” so he’d absorb the fluids. 2) Since he’d eat the chicken and rice I’d put the chicken on the bottom and then put water in the dish. Not a lot, but enough, so he’d be forced to get a bit of water in his system.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Glad you are in touch with is vet.  Hope all is well soon. 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Taking him to the vet is a good precaution. If his urine is not darker than usual he is probably fine. Adding liquids to food should help too be it low fat low sodium chicken broth or just water.

[Marnie, Stanlee's Mom]

Keep us posted.  I think the IV fluids is the best bet right about now. 

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I'm wondering what kind of 'bland diet' you're referring to. Every time I've put my Lucy on a bland diet of boiled chicken, white rice and sweet potato (which has been more than a few times in 3-1/2 yrs) she does not drink water. She urinates like regular, but she just does not take in extra fluids. Its not until I start to add back kibble that she starts drinking again. I, too, was worried the first time she stopped drinking while on the bland diet, but now I don't give it a second thought. EDIT: I always add a little water (about 1/4c) to her bland diet food dish at each meal. I don't mix it in, but just pour it around the mounds of chicken, rice and  sweet potato.