Dog not drinking.

Hi vets, My 11 year old dog ate a large amount of salt on the 24th March. He was admitted for the day on a drip and was allowed home that night because his sodium/chloride levels have returned to normal after being off the scales. Well since he came home he hasn't drank. We have been giving him wet food with added water.  Wednesday (31st march) he was readmitted for dehydration and spent the day on a drip again. His bloods test on kidneys and pancreas came back normal. The only thing they noticed was blood in his urine so is on a week course of antibiotics for potential cystitis. Since being home he still isn't interested in drinking still. Is it likely that the salt poisioning caused cystitis or the lack of drinking thats caused it? The past two nights his hackle has been up and has a hunched back, mostly after going outside for the toilet but sometimes when he stands up. Any idea on what could be causing this. Thanks in advance

Hello!   This sounds like a complex case.  Salt toxicity is difficult to treat as the speed of correcting the salt imbalance is important - it needs to be done in carefully calculated increments. It sounds as though it's worth getting the vets or even their emergency counterparts, to review the signs that you describe in order to check that they are happy.  Changes in salt concentration will affect a dogs' thirst quite considerably, as will the administration of fluids (high salt concentration leads to excessive drinking, for example), and it's worth making sure that the vets or their emergency counterparts are aware of the changes you are seeing when you see them, in order that they can intervene in a timely way if they need to.

Thank you so much for replying its really appreciated. He has a small drink tonight and straight after his hackle was up with a hunched back. This also happened after he had his wet food. We will ring his vets in the morning.

Again, with salt toxicities it can be important to trouble the emergency vet if you have concerns.  All the best and please do let us know how you get on.

Well after 3 more blood test today he has been diagnosed with pancreatitis. We are keeping him on the same wet food as the fat content is only 3.5%. He is also being put on more antibiotics and hopefully he starts to recover. Thank you so much for your advice.

Hello - I'm sorry to hear about pancreatitis but it sounds very positive that there's already a treatment plan in place.  Is the salt balance back under control now?  Best of luck and once again, please keep us posted.

He was given chicken water from the vets in the hope he would start drinking again but he didn't. we had a morning urine sample checked last week and he has been put on antibiotics as there may be some bacteria and it is really dilute considering it was his first one of the day. His kidney levels are within normal range which is good. We are still treating the  pancreatitis but hoping we can get him better soon. We have switched meds now in hope they work better. Will update this thread when he next gets seen in a weeks time.

Well we still aren't seeing an improvement with his pancreatitis. He has been on pardale which wasn't controlling his pain. We've made the decision to try gabapentin along side pardale V. If he doesn't improve then we have a heartbreaking decision to make. Will keep you updated.

I am sorry to hear this.  Thinking of you and wishing you and him the best of luck