I picked up a beautiful rescue dog two days ago

[tibbir]

and I'm having what I think is a problem with her. Since I got Gretchen, she's only peed once - and that was when the vet was giving her shots. She drinks next to nothing so I guess that's the major factor. However, it just doesn't seem right for her not to drink enough, especially since I live in Houston and we were out enough today for her to get pretty hot.

Does anyone have any ideas? I'm going to have to take her to the vet soon if this doesn't get resolved.

I'm so lucky to have her. She's already great and she's going to be fantastic when she gets over some of her complexes she's developed as a result of her life up until now.

[aquart]

1. Blockage?

Get the vet on the phone.

[Vincardog]

2. Is her mouth wet? Does she show any signs of distress?

Unless she is showing some sign of problem I suspect you have not found where she is relieving herself.

[tibbir]

21. I have tile floors with area rugs so I'm pretty sure she hasn't gone somewhere else.

I have one of those puppy pads out because I suspect she's not had a lick of training.

She's not showing any signs of distress - in fact she's playing, jumping into my lap, etc. Her mouth is wet and she does drink occaisionally, just not very much.

[Vincardog]

32. Well give it time. Keep an eye on her and give her all the watter she wants

It mite be just all the changes she has been thru. The rescues I am familiar with give the dogs a through physical. My best advice is to stay calm and do not transmit any anxiety to your new best friend. over

[Madspirit]

3. Could she be peeing someplace you haven't found?

Or could she be drinking when you're not looking? If not, I suggest you eye dropper some water down her. ...and take her to the vet. They may be able to give you something for her anxiety...temporarily. They give them psychiatric drugs now too and it would be short-term until some of her issues are resolved.

Congratulations on Gretchen! She is lucky to have you and you to have her.
Lee

[Zucca]

4. Google vet sites

You can get a decent idea what may be happening by googling vet sites and pet forums.

My Dog was a rescue dog too...ZUCCA,,,,he is a 90 lb ridgeback that has heavy build and got the biggest jaws you ever saw,,,,He is looking a bit like a gigantic pitbull and scares nearly everyone with his looks, but he is just big, nasty looking and agressively playful. He really is not an attack dog! I oughta get his pic as my avatar! Good luck, but look online theres alot of info out there!

[Longhorn]

9. Does he look anything like the one on the left?

Sparky was dumped in the country and we adopted him in 2001. We think he's Rhodesian Ridgeback, too, without the ridge. He ways about 110 pounds.

[Zucca]

16. Kinda looks LIKE HAT! Ridgeless too, has big dark streak instead of real ridge!

Zucca is a bit bigger boned judging by that picture. He is short for a ridge but very big headed....Insane looking really, but your dog there looks a bit like him..Ill try to get his pic on here!

[Zucca]

20. Is this showing up? Picture odf Zucca!

NOPE, I cant figure out how to post it!

[Longhorn]

22. You have to upload it to a photo-sharing site, such as

www.photobucket.com (free site.) Then beneath the photo, there is a url that you can copy and paste in your post.

Sparky looks smaller than he really in in that picture.

Here's another one:

[Zucca]

23. OK WILL DO!

Zucca is short but THICK...Alot of Ridgebacks are taller, he is like the height of an average sized Lab, but built twice as thick,,,all muscle head and jaws...He bites right through dog food cans in one side out the other! He is freindly though..I will upload him to a site and post his picture!

Im guessing he is 90 or 100 lbs I have not weighed him in a while folks say he getting bigger, but I think they imagine it.

[Zucca]

25. HERES HIS PICTURE!

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa160/ZUCCASPICS/ZUC...

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa160/ZUCCASPICS/ZUC...


I just snapped these ones, His head does not get justice in them, If you meet him in person it is all you see..big old zuccinni head! Zucca means zuccini!

[Longhorn]

26. He's a handsome boy!

You'll have to come join us in the Pets Group!

If you'd like his photo to show up in the post, choose the url that says "URL Link" instead of "Share URL."

[Zucca]

27. Like this?

http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa160/ZUCCASPICS/ZUC...

[Longhorn]

28. You got it!

There's no stopping you now!

[Zucca]

29. I will however be careful to clean up a bit before I send out pictures of this mess in the future!

See the scratches on that hardwood floor...Zuccas work, It was only a couple years old and one year of him,,,It looks like its 30 years old...He kinda tears everything up! Greatest Dog I ever had,,,except Guiness the Irish setter,,,Thats a close one!

[BlooInBloo]

56. PUPPY!

[calimary]

64. Man, what a pretty dog.

LOVELY coat. He was abandoned? Shit. I've never been able to get my head around that.

[BlooInBloo]

57. USC's gonna win it all this year. (poke)(poke)

[bluerum]

5. Time will heal. Give her lots of love and establish daily routines. Doggies

like routine.

Leave fresh water out all the time and make sure that she knows where it is.

And thanks for giving a doggie a home!

[Warpy]

6. This is an EMERGENCY.

Get the vet on the phone or get her to an emergency vet. Something is very wrong with Gretchen. She's not drinking because of her urinary problem, not the other way around.

Good luck.

[pnwmom]

8. I agree. If she's not drinking, she's very sick. n/t

[tibbir]

35. Thank you so much for your advice.

I called an ER vet's office and then took her tonight. She does have a urinary tract problem and may require surgery tomorrow. I don't understand the whole situation. Anyway, she's getting IV fluids tonight, along with two kinds of antibiotics. Then tomorrow morning early I'll pick her up and take her to someone who can do an ultrasound on her. If need be, they can do whatever surgery is required. I don't have an established relationship with a vet already because I take my cats to a Cat Vet.

Anyway, she's a fighter so I'm hoping for the best.

[Warpy]

45. Thank you for getting her in there so quickly

It's not often I type "emergency" in all caps.

I hope she has a good recovery and is your friend for many years.

[leftchick]

55. you did great

I am hopeful your beautiful rescue will recover fully and be 100% very soon. I think she looks like a ridgeback as well. Great dogs, but then they all are great, especially rescues.

[tibbir]

59. She's not drinking much water

but I'm giving her broth cubes and she's peed in the house (on my rug and a puppy pad) twice today. She's eating and holding it down so I hope now I can just give the antibiotics a chance to work.

Today we had a victory - she walked on the leash all the way down to a major intersection and back without freaking too much from the traffic. I live right outside of downtown so she's got to learn to cope with people, cars, - buses - and the like.

[StarryNite]

7. Offer her chicken or beef broth

diluted quite a bit with water. See if she will drink that.

[SammyWinstonJack]

10. I wouldn't wait. You should take her to the Vet, now.

[CountAllVotes]

11. don't wait

She could die of dehydration in that heat! She is likely very sick!

Please take her to the ER ASAP!!!

You may in fact have yourself a Prisoner of Greed in your hands and she made need a lot of help!!

[Vincardog]

12. tibbir are you reading any of this?

[karlrschneider]

18. No replies...I hope she took Gretchen to get looked at!

...

[tibbir]

36. Yes, I appreciate all this advice and support more than you can know.

I took Gretchen to the ER vet and she may require surgery tomorrow (after an ultrasound exam) to fix a urinary infection. Right now she's at the ER vet, getting IV fluids and two kinds of antibiotics.

This has been a rollercoaster for both of us but she's a fighter so I'm hoping everything will work out.

[Zucca]

13. INFO FROM ONLINE, READ IT!

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/anuria-lack-of-urination-i...


There is info on this site, read it, read the page with symptoms too.


http://www.petplace.com/dogs/guide-to-dog-symptoms/page...



Sounds like your dog has to either start drinking or get to Vet quickly...Id try some milk just to see if it will drink. Id definitely go to vet, and keep it cool til you get there so it doesn't go any more dehydrated.

[karlrschneider]

14. This might be serious, but we need more info. How big is Gretchen?

Did the vet check out anything while giving shots? Also what kind of doggie is she? And how old? Some dogs don't need a LOT of water but they for sure all need SOME.

[tibbir]

37. I took her to a wellness clinic because I'm on a fixerd income.

She's a mix, with chihuahua, dachsund and even maybe some basenji in her. She's very young, from 9 months to a year and a half or so. She's pretty sick now but the ER vet worked a plan with me where she can get the best treatment for as reasonable a price as possible.

[classof56]

15. Bless you for rescuing Gretchen.

I know she is in good hands. My "rescue dog" Cammy was my friend, constant companion and source of unconditional love for 13 years before she left me two years ago to cross over that Rainbow Bridge. I still miss and weep for her. I can only hope that Gretchen will be such a friend and companion to you, and that she will be your source of love and companionship for as long as my Cammy dog was. I know you will give her the love and care she needs.

Again, blessings to you and Gretchen, too.

Class

[tibbir]

38. Thank you. I've only had her for two days

and she's already stolen my heart. Actually that happened when I saw her picture on the website. She's really something.

[EFerrari]

17. Has anyone checked her blood sugar?

( I hope it's just stress and that you both will be fine.)

[tibbir]

39. The ER vet ran a whole slew of blood tests

and he said that everything came out surprisingly good, given her situation. Her kidney and liver function are good and her blood sugar is fine too.

[EFerrari]

48. Good! Great news. n/t

[Peregrine Took]

19. Please let us know how she's doing!!!

[UTUSN]

24. Whatever. THANK you for doing what you did. n/t

[dflprincess]

30. Last week I saw this on a show on Animal Planet so this is why I mention it

(I think it was on "It's Me or the Dog").

This particular dog would only drink running water from the tap. You don't mention how big Gretchen is, but if she's large enough, try turning on the kitchen faucet and see if she's interested in drinking from that. (I suppose if she's little, you could put up on the counter by the sink and see if she's interested.) The solution on the Animal Planet show was a water dish that keeps the water flowing out of a small fountain sort of thing. The trainer said that some dogs just don't like drinking standing water.

If that doesn't work, call the vet.

[AZBlue]

31. I'd take her to the vet immediately.

She needs to be drinking and there's something wrong if she's not. Also by not drinking she may become sicker - I'd take her immediately and have it taken care of before it becomes something serious. Sorry to sound so "drastic" but it could become worse and you just want to head off any future problems before they arise - for both your sakes!

Best wishes to you both! Let us know how she's doing - hopefully it's something very easily and quickly solved!

[tibbir]

40. I've gotten such good advice and support tonight.

It isn't as easy and simple as I was hoping, that's for sure. But you're right that she needed immediate help - especially since most vets close at noon on Saturdays. Right now she's getting prepped for a possible surgery by getting IV fluids (she's somewhat dehydrated) and antibiotics. I'll bring her very early to be first in line for her ultrasound exam tomorrow so, if surgery is required, it can be done tomorrow at a REGULAR animal hospital and not an emergency one. I'm on a fixed income and money is an object. I'd spend the money anyway but it'd break me.

[Jeanette in FL]

44. I'm sure other DU'ers would like to help Gretchen out

If you feel comfortable, could you post the name and address of the clinic where Gretchen is so that we can make a donation to help out with her expenses. Many of us have been in your shoes with our pets, rescues, limited funds and emergencies.

I would like to help out and I am sure that others would like to do so as well.

Please let us know how she is doing today and know that she is in our thoughts.

She is young and will rebound, I am sure.

Sending Gretchen healing thoughts from Florida.

[tibbir]

46. Thank you so much for your kind offer.

I just got a call from the surgery vet this morning. It isn't the kind of problem that she'll have to have surgery for. They did an ultrasound and her uterus is ok (that was what the ER vet was the most concerned about I guess). There is something in her kidneys, maybe an infection of some type and they're doing a urinalysis for that. They're concerned that her appetite isn't good and are giving her something to help smooth out her digestive tract.

I'm so relieved, both emotionally and economically, that she won't need a lot more expensive care. The overnight visit to the ER vet cost just at $800 and I thought I might have to spend a lot more today with surgery or something - and then wait the 48 hours or so for her to pull through. Whew.

[AZBlue]

50. It's so hard when our babies are sick!

And can be so expensive...I know that from experience too! Maybe it's just an infection? Definitely keep us posted on her progress - and hang in there!

[Wiley50]

53. $800!!!!111!!!

That's friggin outrageous for an office visit, an overnight and a bottle of fluids

I'm on a fixed income too and that would be One and a Half Times
what my monthly income is

I'm not too proud to shame these gougers
by telling them what I live on a month

Most of the time they come off these outrageous sums out of guilt

I worked as a vet tech during and after high school
There is no way this treatment cost them enough to justify that amount

Jeez!

It seems the world turned into thieves when Reagan came to power
charging what the market would bear
instead of what something was worth

[tibbir]

60. You're right. It's been a big hurt.

The only good thing that came of it was that I was sent to a vet who did a LOT more work than that, gave her special food for her stomach and clavamox for pennies compared to the overnight amount. It's just that when you go in for ER care for pets in Houston they know they have you where it hurts.

[BeHereNow]

33. What breed?

Have any pics?
Some breeds, like the one I own (Jindo) are
very suspicious of accepting food/water from
people they don't know. It can take time and trust building
for a Jindo to accept food/water or treats from a human.

Also, you may want to try switching the water container.
Could be something about the container.
My Jindo will only eat/drink from ceramic bowls- no metal, no plastic.
About the Jindo:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korea_Jindo_Dog
Snip:
"Many are also finicky eaters and will not take food from strangers."

I am curious to know- you might have Jindo on your hands.
Please look at the pictures to compare.
Sure sounds like Jindo behaviour to me...
If so, you have the most incredible dog on the planet.
They are amazing dogs.

BHN

[tibbir]

41. No, she doesn't look like your beautiful Jindo dog.

She's a small dog (about 9 lbs), short coated mix - part dachshund, basenji, chihuahua. She's a beautiful dog. She does shake like a little dog when she gets nervous, which is a lot given her history, but she doesn't have an unkind bone in her body. She must have been feeling miserable for I don't know how long (certainly the past 3 days) and she's been licking me and my son and her tail's been wagging like crazy. She's just so glad that her life's turned around from what it has been.

[burrowowl]

34. Hope Gretchen is OK

Give us some news.

[tibbir]

42. I'll know more tomorrow after her ultrasound exam.

I hope she doesn't need surgery but the vet tonight seemed to think that it was likely. Oh well. She has a wicked urinary tract infection.

[StarryNite]

43. Be sure to share pictures of her

when she is well.

[Bluerthanblue]

49. sending many well wishes your

way.

Just saw this post this morning- and am so glad you got her to the Vet. One 'trick' i was going to mention for getting fluids into her would be offering ice-cubes or ice chips. Our dogs have always loved crunching on ice- (we like it too- )

Hoping for good news tomorrow, and a long and happy life for Gretchen and your family.

Dogs are the best-

peace,
blu

[tibbir]

51. Thanks so much for all of the support.

Gretchen has a bladder infection and is on antibiotics for that. She's back at home now and we just got up from a long nap - we'd had a long night last night. I just gave her a beef broth ice cube and she enjoyed licking that for a while. I talked with the vet before I picked her up and she is still not peeing and that's a concern. They physically emptied her bladder before I left so it wouldn't get too full, which can be bad. I'm just glad she's not having surgery.

[Dirty Hippie]

47. Consider oral fistulas

I had the exact same problem when I adopted an elderly doxie.

Does she sniff and snort when she drinks? If so have her checked for fistulas.

Bad dental care can result in canine teeth rotting and leaving an opening that goes straight into the sinus.

As a result, drinking is very uncomfortable.

I had the fistulas repaired and she is fine now.

Good luck.


Dirty Hippie

[burrowowl]

52. Kick!

Sending well wishes and hoping for good news.

[tibbir]

58. Thank you very much for your support

I took her from the ER vet to a surgical vet yesterday morning. They kept her on IV fluids until about noon yesterday. She peed quite a bit once and a little Friday night and then they expressed (somehow) some more before she left the surgical vet yesterday afternoon. She consumed about 4 ice cubes of beef broth yesterday but didn't pee again. However, this morning she peed on my LR area rug (can't believe I'd ever be glad for that) and then peed again on the puppy pad in my room a little while ago.

She's eating now without throwing up and is on antibiotics for a urinary tract infection. I have her out on short walks with me to try to get across the idea about peeing outside, but that'll come with time. I'm just so glad to see her improvement over even yesterday.

[burrowowl]

63. Good Luck to both of you!

Funny how we get attached so quickly!

[Greyhound]

54. IF YOU HAVEN'T ALREADY, GET HER TO THE VET TODAY!

There are many possibilities but none of them are good. I hope you already have found this out because you took her in, but if not do it right now.

[tibbir]

61. I took her Friday night

and basically they did Xrays ran a lot of blood tests and treated her for dehydration. On Saturday I took her to a regular vet where they did an ultrasound and told me she didn't need surgery. She's a lot better today, going out for walks, eating without throwing up and eating broth cubes. She has a urinary tract infection.

[StarryNite]

62. Thanks so much for the update.

I'm really happy to hear that she's on the mend. Animals seem to bounce back to much more quickly than we do. Please share a picture or two of her when you get the chance. We were all pulling for her.