In dogs who drink a lot we often discover an endocrine disease (with an imbalance in the secretion of hormones) or metabolic. The feeling of thirst is created by the presence in excess of an element in the blood, such as glucose for example, or by dehydration. Other ailments can be found in dogs that drink a lot more.

• Diabetes in dogs is an endocrine disorder that affects the pancreas and the mechanisms that regulate blood sugar (or blood sugar) by insulin.
• Cushing’s syndrome is a disease of the cortisol hormonal system. This hormone is secreted by the adrenal cortex glands. It creates skin symptoms, hair loss, dilation of the abdomen, polyphagia (increased appetite), depression; facilitates the installation of urinary tract infections. It is often linked to the presence of a tumor.
• Kidney failure in dogs (see the article on the subject)
• The pyometra in bitch : the pyometra is a bacterial infection of the uterus of the unsterilized bitch. The bacteria will gradually leave the uterus and then enter the bloodstream (creating sepsis) and can induce acute kidney failure. It is often manifested by fever, anorexia, depression and more particularly pus which drains through the vulva. This is a common problem with unsterilized bitches.
• Cancerous tumors : we speak of paraneoplastic syndrome. It is the presence of the tumor that disrupts the functioning of the body and triggers an increase in water intake.
• Some drugs like corticosteroids can increase the feeling of hunger and thirst in dogs.
• An increase in the dog’s temperature or the outside temperature (if the dog is hot he drinks more to cool off)
• Liver failure linked to liver disease
• Dehydration linked to gastroenteritis important for example
• The potomanie may be a communication ritual of the dog or a symptom in the hyperactive dog.

A dog normally drinks between 50 and 60 ml of water per kilogram per day. This makes for a 10 kg dog about half a liter of water per day (i.e. a small 50cl bottle of water).

If the dog drinks more than 100 ml of water per kg per day, then he has polydipsia. Polyuropolydipsia is also often mistaken for dog incontinence.

In addition, if a dog who drinks a lot of water presents other symptoms (digestive system, weight loss or gain, cataract, increased appetite, loss of pus in the vulva in the unsterilized female, etc.) he must be driven. without hesitation to the vet.

If your dog drinks more than 100ml of water per day take him to your vet.

Examen

After a complete clinical examination, he will take a blood test to assess the state of health of his organs and the activity of his endocrine glands (which secrete hormones). For example, an increase in blood sugar (amount of glucose in the blood) and blood fructosamines indicate the presence of diabetes mellitus. The increase in urea and creatinine indicates the development of renal failure in dogs and allows its degree to be assessed.

He may also take urine to measure its density (an equivalent of the concentration of urine). This can allow for simple monitoring of polydipsia. This density measurement also has a prognostic value in the case of renal failure in dogs.

Treatment

There is no direct, symptomatic treatment for a dog who drinks a lot. We must first find the cause of this change in drinking intake and treat it. The variation in the extent of polydipsia during a hormonal disease is also an effective way for you to see if the treatment is working or if it is poorly regulated.

• Diabetes mellitus can be treated with daily insulin injections under the skin. It is a lifelong treatment. A special diet is added to the treatment that helps regulate blood sugar.
• Treatment of Cushing’s syndrome is done by daily administration of medication for life or by surgical excision of the tumor responsible for the disease.
• Chronic renal failure as for it is also treated with a daily treatment for life associated with a special diet which prevents the evolution of kidney damage.

While waiting for the medication to work, if your dog continues to urinate a lot, you can make him wear a diaper as for an incontinent dog.