Poorly dog - how much water should I give him

[NeedHoliday]

Dog is very poorly ate 'real ham bone' (intended for dogs) yesterday and been unwell since. Vet thinks its gastroenteritis and prescribed antibiotics, anti sickness drug and pain killing injection this morning. Got go back tomorrow if no improvement - at moment he seems to be getting worse not better.

Dog still very lethargic normally follows me everywhere in house but hasn't moved from top of stairs. Refusing to eat or drink, tried him with cooked chicken and rice, but he wouldn't touch it.

But I'm more concerned he won't drink. I have a childs nurofen syringe which holds 5ml so could try syringe feeding some water but I have no idea how much or how often - any advice please?

Also could it be the drugs that are making him so tired or could he be getting worse?

Thank you

I'd call your vet for advice. I've used a syringe in the past but I couldn't say how much, just did it instinctively. It sounds like he may need to go to the vets and have IV fluids ... but they can advise you ... good luck, horrid seeing them poorly.

Hi Mitchellmum

Thanks for reply. I've just phoned vet. As he has stopped being sick they have advised I go in and collect a syringe to try and get some water in him. Failing that I will need to take him in and have IV fluids overnight - they are open until late so I have a few hours to see if he improves.

Feels like the days when the kids were babies and ill - at least they are old enough to tell me whats wrong now!

Fingers crossed for him. Keep us posted. x

Maintenance rates are 50mls per kilo per day so that should be a bare minimum.

Wow that's a lot. He weighed 14kg at vets today so he needs 700ml.

Vet gave me a syringe and I've probably got about 50ml in him - long way to go. Will keep on offering him - he's not too keen but will drink it.

Thanks for everyones help.

Has the vet xrayed his tummy and insides? A friends puppy ate a ham hock and it splintered off into her intestines. The risk was if anything perforated it would cause a massive infection at the very least.

I dont want to worry you but I woukd be tempted to speak to vet and ask if this was a possibilty. Which I believe it always is if cooked bones are eaten. Especially if dog is so ill. He may have stopped vomiting as nothing left in tummy not that hes improving.

I was going to ask about xrays too, has he passed anything (poo?) at all?

Just offering a wee hand to hold mitchellmum

My 14 month Jack/whippet cross was very poorly yesterday due to a nasty bug (cue a day filled with lots of vomit/poo/wretching from my fur baby ) but am happy to report she is much better today.

Keep up your good work with her fluids. Let us all know how he goes on.

Sorry wrong OP name hand holding for NeedHoliday

Hi.

Well have been keeping up with fluids. Roasted a chicken tonight in the hope that the smell might tempt him (we did eat it with salad so not just for the pampered pooch!). He ate a little bit but not interested so will try again tomorrow.

So he is upstairs in his bed in our room now - normally he sleeps in kitchen but think I would be up all night checking on him if he was downstairs. Could be opening up a whole host of problems I know but too worried about him to leave him alone.

Fingers crossed the antibiotics help but if still poorly tomorrow will be back to the vets.

Thank you so much for advice and support, I have been so worried today but you have reassured me its ok to call vets back - didn't want them to think I was a paranoid parent!

your poor dog my dog got sick from one of those hambones too I bought it in a petshop I think it is the fat or something on it, how is dog today a little better it took jaydog a few days to get over it he was drinking though call your vet

oh try ice cubes he might lick it

How is he today?