Yesterday I found a stray dog in the street. He didn't have a collar. My mom and I walked him over to the nearby vet and she came out and looked him over. She said he was about 6 years old and her and I both agreed he seems to look like a shepherd collie mix. He's just a sweet heart, but the problem is he won't drink. He won't go near the little dish of water we have for him. Believe me I've tried everything. I've used different bowls, turned the hose on and tried to see if he's drink from that, I've used one of those syringe medicine things and it works to get water in his mouth but believe me, I'm not doing that every day. I've even got down on my hands and feet and drank like a dog out of a dish. Last night we let him sleep in the garage and he had a bowl of water to himself the whole night. He's gone on plenty of walks he should be thirsty, but even when I brought him near a river he would try and get as far away from the water as possible. He eats OK I guess, he likes cheese even though it's so rich and he shouldn't have too much, but he just doesn't like to eat really or drink at all. The saddest part is that he's so skinny I can put my whole two hands around his middle (and he's as big as a golden retriever) what do you think could be wrong with him? Do you think he's dying? Please help, I'm so confused about what I should do to help the poor thing!

This happens sometimes. Try feeding him ice cubes. Many dogs love them and they are a way to get water into them. If that doesn't work, it may be back to the vet.

We visited the dog guide school school recently. Thought I would share some of what I learned. One of their veterinarians gave a talk on current hazards. Xylitol, a newer artificial sweetener finding wide use in sugar free gums, is very bad for dogs, see http://www.poynter.org/column.asp?id=2&aid=75125. The word on grapes and raisins being toxic to dogs has been around for a while, but new findings show some dogs are very sensitive to them, only taking a few to kill them. Her last point was bottle caps. Their sharp edges can cut dogs internally is swallowed. And like many other things, they can block the digestive tract. She had some nice X-rays of dogs that had swallowed all sorts of things. They fish the bottle caps out with a magnet. Other stuff, they have to operate.

I will try the ice cubes, thanks for your help! Wow I didn't know that raisins and grapes could be harmful. Thanks for sharing that information :o

You could try pedialite popsicles that they make for children, it would help plenty if the dog is dehydrated.

He drinks a little now, he is starting to gain my trust I think. I've seen him drink twice now in front of me.
If there is still a problem I will try your suggestion, thanks
A lady is coming over to see him today. I'm going to miss him, she wants him and I know we can't keep him :(

Well at least know in your heart that you did the right thing in bringing him home and helping him, we need more like you in this world, I sometimes think my yard is a haven for stray or lost animals *L* my girlfriend said there must be a doggie magazine somewhere that lists all the "soft touches" addresses so the strays know where to go.

My mom and I just couldn't have left him out on the street. Surely he would have gotten hit by a car and the next thing you know he's lying dead on the road. I just can't understand why people would just drop their dogs off. We're not completely sure that's what happened, but the vet seemed to think so also. I'm glad we were able to nurse him back to health and not let him go to the pound or die

He may possibly have been abused and water splashed at him, drank from a puddle and gotten sick or many other things.

When I first got my last dog who was a Shepherd Border Collie mix. He wouldn't eat very much. I left food in his bowl in my room when I went to bed. Don't you know, as soon as I turned the light off, he went and ate.

It could be he has to get used to his new surroundings and a bit nervous of a dog. Also try giving him gatorade or some chicken or beef soup brooth.
I hope that helps.

Be sure to have him have a check with the vet. He may have worms or something similar. I had a Basset Hound that had them when we got him

Hi,
You are wonderful for taking in the dog... I love dogs, too.
Mybuddy had a great suggestion, in that the dog might have had a bad experience with water; such as possibly trying to have been drowned by someone in the past. You never know.
Dogs are far more intelligent than most people give them credit.
Also, don't fee a dog cheese! It constipates them.
Anything with oninions in it isn't a good idea either.
Give the dog some time to trust you, get used to you, and maybe it will start drinking water again.
Meantime, any liquids that it would drink, such as Kool Aid would do, with sugar in it. I am sure the new owner of the dog likes dogs, too; otherwise, they would not be interested in it.
Best of luck,
fredg

Thanks for all your help. He found a new wondferful home with a retired couple on a river who had just lost their other rescued dog they had for 12 years.
Don't worry I never fed Milo a lot of cheese, just a little sample :D