Should I be concerned or not?

I've noticed lately that when Stewie goes to get a drink of water he drinks a lot, I don't know if he did this before and I never noticed. Should this be addressed?

Usually when Peachy or Moose increase their drinking, it is because they have a UTI. It is always confirmed by increased accidents, a very distinct smell to their pee, and a trip to the vet for a culture.

Oh no, Julian has been drinking more and his pee is darker....hmmm

some dogs just drink more water.....I discovered this when Paddy came to live with my mom....he drinks water like no other dog.....and he had his sugar checked, along with everything else, because I worried about diabetes, but his bloodwork is perfect.....he's just more thirsty than the average pug! So maybe get his blood checked, but it doesn't necessisarily mean anything.

puglover22 wrote:some dogs just drink more water.....I discovered this when Paddy came to live with my mom....he drinks water like no other dog.....and he had his sugar checked, along with everything else, because I worried about diabetes, but his bloodwork is perfect.....he's just more thirsty than the average pug! So maybe get his blood checked, but it doesn't necessisarily mean anything.

Yes, you just have to find the normal for your dog. For mine increased drinking usually signals bladder infections when it presents with the increased urination and the classic smell, and that is the first thing my vet asks me. But, for others... it may be different.

Rebecca and the Pugs wrote:

puglover22 wrote:some dogs just drink more water.....I discovered this when Paddy came to live with my mom....he drinks water like no other dog.....and he had his sugar checked, along with everything else, because I worried about diabetes, but his bloodwork is perfect.....he's just more thirsty than the average pug! So maybe get his blood checked, but it doesn't necessisarily mean anything.

Yes, you just have to find the normal for your dog. For mine increased drinking usually signals bladder infections when it presents with the increased urination and the classic smell, and that is the first thing my vet asks me. But, for others... it may be different.

Exactly! I agree! I meant to add that you should be concerned, but don't worry until you've checked out the possibilities and get to know Stewies personal nuances a little more....

Yep, agree with what everyone is saying. Could just be his thing but i would, without question, have everything checked out.

He has one vet visit for his eyes next week with a specialist then I'll make another one with his reg doc, still need to have his ticker checked out.

I did think of something that has changed that might be the cause of it, I started giving them fish and flax seed oil with their dinner, that could be making him thirsty.

Donna wrote:He has one vet visit for his eyes next week with a specialist then I'll make another one with his reg doc, still need to have his ticker checked out.

I did think of something that has changed that might be the cause of it, I started giving them fish and flax seed oil with their dinner, that could be making him thirsty.

I say a trip to the vet is the quickest way to put my mind at ease. The vet techs can identify me by my voice when I say hello. If you spot any tinge of blood in his urine, he needs to be seen immediately.

Tuesday is official vet day, 10:30 at one vet to have his eyes checked out then 2:00 at my vet to have his heart checked out because of what Linda said and to have his water consumption checked on.

I better not spend any money this weekend!

Now I am off to the doc for a sinus infection.

Take very good care of your sinus infection - and do what the doc says - word for word, okay?

Both my pugs drink a great amount of water - even in the winter months. Being the weird, observant mom that I am, I check the color, smell, etc. of 'everything Pug'.

Like humans, I find the first pee in the morning to be the darkest, and the one most inclined to smell. Last night I took the duo out at 7 and 11 pm. I was out with them again at 6:30 am. Both Bubba and A'chi pee'd for a long time, and both pees appeared darker color in the snow. They both came in, drank lots of water, ate their breakfast, and drank more water. I'm weird - I give them bottled water rather than tap water. It makes me happy when they both drink a lot of water. I do not tend to worry too much as long as their pee is not really dark (or ammonia smelling) , and as long as I know they have not been holding their own for too long.

As Toby got older, he drank lots of water and his pee did smell stronger. Again, keeping a close eye on his behaviors and not hesitating to take him to the vet kept him in good health for a very long time.

Increase is water drinking can be a sign of diabetes or kidney issues. It's always worth a trip to the vet. I'd rather spend the money to find out nothing is wrong than sit home and worry about it.

dieselsmom wrote:Increase is water drinking can be a sign of diabetes or kidney issues. It's always worth a trip to the vet. I'd rather spend the money to find out nothing is wrong than sit home and worry about it.

That was my fist thought was diabetes, hopefully I will find out on Tuesday, now how to explain to my vet that a psychic told me to keep an eye on his heart ought to be interesting.

I just got back from my doc, have a bacterial sinus infection and still have to go to work to cover lunches......

Donna wrote:

dieselsmom wrote:Increase is water drinking can be a sign of diabetes or kidney issues. It's always worth a trip to the vet. I'd rather spend the money to find out nothing is wrong than sit home and worry about it.

That was my fist thought was diabetes, hopefully I will find out on Tuesday, now how to explain to my vet that a psychic told me to keep an eye on his heart ought to be interesting.

I just got back from my doc, have a bacterial sinus infection and still have to go to work to cover lunches......

Yuck..hope you feel better, and hopefully Stewie's vet visit will put your mind at ease!

At least your sinus infection is bacterial and able to be treated with anti-biotics! They can hurt like a sunnufagun.. It's amazing how fast a 'kid cold' can harbor a virus and bloom into some really serious respiratory ailments.

If you choose to use those popular Neti-Pots, please do so with extreme caution - and please be aware of the following information included in this link ... http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2011/12/19/143960631/second-neti-pot-death-from-amoeba-prompts-tap-water-warning .

A'chi asked me to knit you a really soft scarf to keep your nose warm .

~~~~~

I count my blessings every time I read about cases of diabetes, bladder, kidney and urinary tract infections. Here's prayers and well wishes for your pug babies and your upcoming visits to the vet!

My pugs drink minimal water - but, they don't eat kibble. The are on a raw and dehydrated diet.

My husband wore me down about giving them a little bit of kibble last night in one of those treat puzzle toys. So, I let him give Ichiro and Skeeter a little bit so they could play with those toys. Ichiro must have drank a gallon of water last night!! I attribute it to the kibble he ate and trying to rehydrate it.

It could be that Stewie just needs the extra hydration. But, I would run to the vet too, because I am just the same as you!