Q. How Do I Prevent Dehydration in Dogs With Trigeminal Neuritis?

Posted by Mia Carter Mar 17, 2009

On March 16, 2009, I received the following question on my article titled Trigeminal Neuritis in the Dog:

"We have a Bernese Mountain Dog, Hayden. Three weeks ago we thought he had a stroke and since has been diagnosed with TN, or, Drop Jaw. We are hand feeding him and his appetite is good. However, he will not take to any devices we have thought up to keep him hydrated. Large size water vessel like are used for rabbits, turkey baster, the hose, holding an ice cube for him to lick are but nothing works. He lost seven lbs last week and the vet thinks it was due to dehydration. Please help as we are running out of ideas as is our vet. Anyone have any ideas to share? Thank You."

This is a very real problem for a dog with TN. A dog with Trigeminal Neuritis or "drop jaw" cannot use the mouth properly to drink water and the result is dehydration, as you've described.

Fortunately, the solution is fairly simple. You will need to give your dog daily subcutaneous injections of fluid. In a smaller dog, this will cost you about $7 per week; in a larger dog, it may cost upwards of $20-$30 per week. It all depends on how much fluid the dog requires.

Subcutaneous (under the skin) fluid injections are simple to do at home. You can get the needles, IV line and a bag of fluid - called Ringer's Solution - from your veterinarian. Purchasing the Ringer's Solution by the case is a huge money saver. You can also get a prescription for the Ringer's Solution and purchase it online if you find it there for a better price.

Once or twice a day, you will give your dog an injection of fluids under his skin, typically at the scruff of the neck because there is extra skin here and the nerve endings are sparse, so it's not a very painful area to inject. The dog's body will then absorb the fluid. This eliminates the need for drinking since the body is getting its hydration in a different and more efficient way.

This is, hands down, the easiest way to prevent dehydration in a dog with TN. Fluid injections dramatically improved my dog's quality of life, as prior to receiving subcutaneous fluid injections, she would spend upwards of 90 minutes per day at the water bowl. Her drinking skills were extremely inefficient and I would have to leave out multiple water bowls since she would deposit gobs of saliva in the water when she attempted to drink. So the injections have literally been a life saver and her quality of life is wonderful.

Most dogs - even those dogs who cry out when they get the needle prick - typically get used to the injection within a week or two. My Miniature Pinscher Kota has Trigeminal Neuritis and she receives daily injections and at first, she would scream and run away when we gave the injections. But within a week, she realized that dramatics weren't getting her out of the fluid injections. Today, she doesn't even flinch when she gets her daily injection of Ringer's Solution.

Actually giving the injections is very simple. You can receive a demonstration from your veterinarian. And, if necessary, you can read my how-to article on giving subcutaneous fluid injections.

If you have any additional questions, I invite you to post a comment under this article or send an email to Mia.Carter@Suite101.com.

Disclaimer: I have extensive experience in caring for animals, including sick and special needs animals, but I am not a veterinarian. I can provide information and advice based on research and my many years of experience with pet care and training, but it's not a substitute for seeking medical attention from a veterinarian.