Dog has been drinking way more water than usual for two weeks — vet visit urgency?
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lucia_m·2 days·1021 views
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My 7-year-old Labrador Retriever has been noticeably thirstier for about two weeks. She's always been a moderate drinker and now she's draining the bowl multiple times a day and asking to go outside more frequently. No other changes — eating fine, energy seems normal, no weight loss that I can see.
I know increased thirst can be a sign of several serious things. How urgent is a vet visit here? Are there certain symptoms that would make this more or less concerning?
2 replies
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dr_yamadaVET· 2 days
Two weeks of polydipsia (increased thirst) in a 7-year-old Lab warrants a vet visit this week — not an emergency, but don't wait a month. The differential list includes diabetes mellitus, Cushing's disease, kidney disease, and pyometra (if she's unspayed). All of these are diagnosable with a basic urinalysis and blood panel. The good news is you've caught it early with no other symptoms — these conditions are very manageable when found early. Call your vet Monday morning and mention the 2-week timeline.
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vet_tech_alex· 2 days
Bring a urine sample when you go — first morning catch in a clean container. It saves a step and often gives the most informative results. This is exactly the kind of thing a $150 senior wellness panel catches early.
