URGENT advice needed please - dog not horse!

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Sarah1

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Hi

My 7.5 yr old chocolate lab had a fibrosarcoma removed on Monday from her mouth.

She had to have all her upper front teeth out from canine to canine and seems to be finding licking/lapping hard. So much so that she's not had a proper drink of water since Monday night when we fetched her home.

I called the vet yesterday to tell them & as she's on wet food they're not too concerned at the moment as it's 80% water anyway - they also suggested adding more water to the food to make it sloppier which I did last night & she ate it but this morning we've had no chance. She wouldn't eat the sloppy stuff and I had to hand feed her to ensure she got her pain meds - she ate most of it but wouldn't eat all of it (just half a 150g tin).

I was just wondering how I might be able to encourage her to drink - the eating I'm not as concerned about at this moment? I've tried giving her warm water but she turns her nose up at that just as much.

I have a small syringe for her pain meds so was going to try syringing some water into her mouth later?

My concern is that not drinking will become a learned behaviour through it obviously being uncomfortable to do so and I don't want her to have the same hang up when she's better?

She had GA during her op & nerve blocks & really just wants to sleep, so perhaps I need to just back off a bit & let her recover the way she wants to? She is going to the toilet - hubby took her this am & said she did no. 2 and a huge wee so must be getting moisture from somewhere?

Any advice/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks
 
Sometimes adding a tiny bit of cordial to the water bowl can help, not too much though but enought to add a little bit of taste.

Melon, although some dogs like it, but it has a high water content and some dogs are partial to a bit of fruit if they think your eating it.

What about Milk or a watery yogurt?
 
Thanks - I'll try the melon or maybe cucumber?

I tried her with watre/milk mixed but she wouldn't touch it - I think it's the licking motion that must be painful or uncomfortable for her due to her having the front teeth out?

I also just thought about boiling some chicken pieces for her? Would that work?
 
She probably just needs to get to grips with eating and drinking as it will feel rather odd to her, like it would to us, plus she's be a bit sore.

Vets usually recommend feeding a delicate stomach rice (if they have been on treatment) and if they have had the teeth out.

If she's not used to chicken, don't over do it, otherwise you'll make her loose which you don't want if she's not getting enough fluid.
 
You could try a plastic drinks bottle that has the nozzle already on i.e. like a isotonic drink athletes use.
A tried & tested method for food is to buy tuna chunks (in brine) & drop them into her mouth slowly, you could also try an icing bag which holds sloppy food get a narrow nozzle & you'll be away.
Good luck to you all.
 
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