Hotaru hasn't been drinking...

[wyvernrider18]

Could anybody give me any ideas as to why Hotaru isn't drinking her water? She's been eating a lot better, but has been rapidly losing weight due to water loss. We just gave her 9-10 1/2 cc of fluids today to compensate for the loss, but anybody have a clue why she won't drink her water?

[bloane]

If she isn't drinking at all, then I would get her to the vet ASAP. She could have an infection from the surgery, she may still be in pain, it is hard to tell. Does she have a bowl or bottle to drink from? If she has a bottle, offer her a bowl. It is possible that the valve on the water bottle isn't working properly, which would keep her from drinking.
Becca

Could anybody give me any ideas as to why Hotaru isn't drinking her water? She's been eating a lot better, but has been rapidly losing weight due to water loss. We just gave her 9-10 1/2 cc of fluids today to compensate for the loss, but anybody have a clue why she won't drink her water?

[wyvernrider18]

I think Hotaru is just being spoiled right now. She has been eating a normal amount of food lately and she will readily take fluids if I syringe them to her, no problem. I think these past few days she's just gotten used to being babied. She has been on antibiotics, so there is probably no infection, and she may be sore, but she doesn't seem to be in very much pain as she runs around and such normally. We have a vet on campus who's been working with me on her and my exotics instructor has looked at her and they all agree that she's just being spoiled. Sneaky little poop, isn't she? She also has a bowl. Has never had a water bottle, so its not a problem with that.

[hemi_mygirl]

Try flavoring her water with something, like apple juice. I know whenever I sneak a flavor into Hemi's water (as a treat sometimes), she drinks more water. Just be sure to wash her bowl out every morning.

[wyvernrider18]

I took some grape juice from the cafeteria in hopes that maybe tomorrow I can get her to drink her water. They were out of apple juice. I put a little dab of corn syrup in her water tonight to see if it helps and I may try green tea or something later.

[hedgies4life]

Maybe try Gatorade or powerade powder? That's what I did when my hedgehog wasn't drinking and had diarrhea in the summer. The vitamins/ electrolytes are good for them, and he loved the taste :)

[incrovaj]

Daisy loves Lemon Propel in her water, or green tea. Go figure! No, these are not normally put in her water, but if for some reason she seems to not be drinking, I will sneak some in, and it always gets her drinking again.