Dehydration common side effect after dog surgery?

My dog had surgery to remove a cyst from her eye lid today and she is drinking water excessively. Is that common or should we be concerned?

  • Vetinfo

    By: Erin Broersma El Segundo, CA

    Replied on 04/19/2011

    Excessive thirst could be a possibility for a few reasons post-anesthesia. If she was fasted the night before surgery, she may not have drank water as usual because she was not eating dinner. If she was put under general anesthesia, she probably was intubated. If a tracheal tube was used, this can cause the throat to feel dry and a little sore for a day or so following the procedure. Both of these options can cause her to want to drink a lot of water. The after affects of the anesthetic may also be making her feel nauseous. If this is the case she will want something in her stomach, although she may not yet have an appetite for her food. The key for the first 24 hours after a dog goes under anesthetic is to offer small amounts of food and water. Allowing her to gorge on water and food may cause her to vomit them back up, offer a cup or so of water at a time (depending on her size), and the same with her food. If she doesn't eat until the day following surgery that is perfectly fine.

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