excessive water drinking

[MaddoxsMom]

Maddox has began drinking water like a maniac...when we take him to the river he laps it up, and i have to physically pull his head out of the water, he even bites at it...we give him enough...he isnt dehydrated...

the thing is, he drinks so much he will puke after...even in the tub...it is a team effort now, one of us has to keep his head up while the other scrubs...very strange...

someone told me it is a nervous habit, like smoking...true?

mudd puddles, bath water, river water...im beginning to worry about this, especially when he vomits, then goes right back for more afterwards...

let me know guys

[Rott-Wiley]

Are you feeding him dry dog food?

[TrishB]

Sudden excessive water intake can be a sign of diabetes. I would suggest that you take your dog to the veterinarian for a full physical exam, plus blood work. Explain that the increase in water intake is sudden and your concerns.

If the exam comes up with nothing, that's great. But if it finds a problem, you'll be glad that you caught it early.

In case it is diabetes, this site might come in handy:

http://www.petdiabetes.org/

And this quote:

Canine diabetes symptoms

Symptoms, diagnostic tests and treatments of diabetes in dogs.

I couldnt begin to count the number of times while I was working as an emergency veterinary technician an owner would call and ask about a dog that seemed to be drinking and/or urinating more than usual.

Questioning them would usually reveal the dog had also seemed off for a while as well as having lost weight although the appetite had remained unchanged. After hearing about this particular grouping of symptoms, the most common, although complex of canine endocrine disorders would be suspected and tested for. This disorder is diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus is often called sugar diabetes and it comes in two types.

Type 1 diabetes is caused by the insufficient production by the pancreas of the hormone known as insulin.

Type 2 diabetes is a result of an inadequate response by the dog to insulin.

From http://papa.essortment.com/caninediabetes_rkvf.htm

Please let us know what your vet tells you. Better safe than sorry!

[MaddoxsMom]

yes, he is on dry food.

Holy cow...i never thought it could be something that serious...great...ill let you guys know what i find out...