Why is my Cocker Spaniel so thirsty and licking his nose post-surgery?

Hello. I'm sorry to hear that you are having trouble after your dog's surgery. Occasionally there will be after-effects from surgery that can include pain, increased thirst and accidents like you are describing. The increased thirst is likely contributing to the increased need to urinate. If this continues, I would have your veterinarian examine him, but it should pass within a few days.

I would recommend starting by calling the vet who saw him to see if there's any treatment they can recommend over the phone based on what they saw at the visit. Sometimes we have a next step in mind that requires another physical exam first and sometimes it's something we can safely and appropriate recommend over the phone. It probably depends on how Zeek was doing overall at his visit last time. The vet may need to see him again to listen to his heart and lungs and take x-rays of his chest before moving forward. I would be most concerned about an infection being part of the problem. I hope you get it sorted out soon and Zeek starts to feel better!

If he continues to drink excessively then you should have him examined by a vet for blood-work and a urinalysis. He could have an infection, kidney disease, liver disase, diabetes, Cushing's disease, etc. High temperatures could make him drink a little more, especially if he is panting a lot, but if it seems excessive then he should be evaluated by a vet to determine if there is a problem that needs to be treated.

Snickers is a cutie! I would ask if he has been checked since he had all the teeth removed? The doctor needs to make sure all the extraction sites are healed and there is no inflammation present indicating there could be a problem. If he has not been examined recently, I would recommend to have him checked. Some dogs will like excessively once the teeth are removed. Being that he is a long haired little dog, it could also be that the hair is now sticking in his mouth. Keep the hair trimmed short around his mouth. Also check his lips to make sure you don't see any infection or redness. I hope this helps!

She may not have a drive to drink if she received iv fluids during her procedures and you are meeting what she needs through her diet. If she is otherwise happy with normal appetite and energy level and no vomiting or diarrhea you can continue monitoring. If any of these change in addition to not drinking then that would be more concerning as dehydration could ensue. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

Distemper seems unlikely (especially if vaccinated), but Doc seems more likely affected by an upper respiratory tract infection/inflammation. Considering the presence of lethargy, an immediate check up is needed. Antibiotics may be needed.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Excessive water intake can be seen with conditions such as urinary tract infections, and metabolic conditions such as Cushing's disease to name a few. Given that Chico is also showing signs of being hungry, it is possible that he has something called Cushing's disease which is a metabolic condition which at times requires treatment. I recommend that you have him evaluated by your veterinarian who can test for that if it makes sense based on further history and physical examination. Good luck!