Excessive thirst - not diabetic! A geriatric problem??

[BeanerWiener]

My nearly 14 y.o. Beaner has, within the last month or so, developed excessive thirst.  I took him to the vet and they did blood and urine work on him, and x-rays, but found nothing abnormal; no diabetes, no UTI, no kidney problems, etc.  In fact they said he was in very good shape for a dog his age!  The vet could only chalk up his sudden onset of excessive thirst to "old age".  Beaner will actually bark at us to fill his water dish, several times a day, which he's never done before.  He's also never woke us up in the middle of the night to go potty, but now, 3 a.m., like clockwork . . . .  Of course, because he's drinking so much water, he's peeing more, and he's losing control of his bladder because of his age so he's having a lot of accidents in the house.  I don't know what to do!  Should I not give him water after 7 p.m.?  I don't want to harm his kidneys, but he'll let me know in no uncertain terms that his water dish is empty!  Is this sudden onset of excessive water drinking really just a sign of old age??

[peterparker]

Have you unknowingly given him salt. I find when we have popcorn, and share it with Parker, he drinks all night. Salt can be in a lot of foods ie cheese, doggie snacks etc.
I would never withhold water from a dog that is demanding it. Although I do put the water dish up 2 hours before bedtime, unless it's unbearable hot, or dry.

[papbouv]

If a new behavior something must be causing it maybe a second opinion is in order from a different vet never hurts to get one maybe the first vet missed something.Good luck

[David C.]

It could definitely be more of a mental issue than a physical one.   14 is around the age that some of the old age loopiness you see in dachshunds begins to manifest itself.  A second opinion couldn't hurt, though. 

[Mike]

14 is around the age that some of the old age loopiness you see in dachshunds begins to manifest itself. 

That is sure true.  Clifford is convinced I am starving him.

[Madderoos Mom]

Maddie just turned 11 but she's at the water all the time.  It's just habit now to be woken up around 4:00 AM so she can get a drink.  Maybe a 2nd opinion would be in order.  Rays to Mr. Bean.

[Roberta]

Yes they sometimes do it out of boredom Emma did. Oh water have a drink.
Roberta

[doxielady5569128]

I don't have any answers or suggestions for you, I'm sorry.  I can pray for your little Beaner and hope the vets can figure out what is causing all this.   

[cheryl186]

Same here.  I will pray for Beaner that everything is okay

[BeanerWiener]

Thank you for all the replies!

Not only does Beaner drink excessive amounts of water, but he drinks it FAST, and then has a coughing fit!  Every time.  There is a trick that a vet assistant just told me about recently that will get Beaner to drink more slowly (which should stop the coughing fits) and ingest a little less water:  Put a weight in the middle of his water dish!  When he has to drink around that obstruction, he drinks less and can't gulp it down.  I tried it by putting an unopened can of soup (!) in the middle of his water dish.  Beaner was quite puzzled why there was a can of soup in his water dish, but he did slowly lap the water around it so maybe there is something to this idea.  I'll let you guys know if this trick works.

But I still don't know WHY he's developed such a thirst unless of course, he has gone a little mental  :idiot:

~Beaner's Mama

[peterparker]

I did that with my Jack Russel to slow his eating down, and it worked. I've even seen a few bowls in pet stores now that are designed to slow a dog down.

[BeanerWiener]

I must not get out much, I have not seen any pet dishes like that! 

[papbouv]

The bowls are called Break Bowls used to slow down eating fast should work for water as well.Bought one for Patches it has helped allot I think they have them at Petsmart and Petco anything is worth a try firm believer in trying anything once.Good Luck