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Avatar universal

My dog has not had anything to drink for the past two days.

He has been urinating when we're on a walk.  When were inside he scratches constantly, chews at himself and on is inner leg. His leg is tender to the touch inside and some outside.  It doesn't look especially inflamed, however, last night I went to touch the leg and (truly) nearly had my hand removed.  He is a solid muscle 75 lb. mix of American foxhound, pit bull and a few other breeds. He is usually gentle .99.4% of the time and as long as you're not touching the injured part he's fine but when he's injured he's not good with a vet either or anyone  with the rage part if you touch the tender area. (That's another question for another day).  He's good about taking meds orally.  Should I be concerned about any of this?
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675347 tn?1365460645
COMMUNITY LEADER
He's chewing on that leg and is protective of it because he has pain in it. A dog can be in intense pain and you might not know about it except  to get that reaction when you try to touch it.
Never mind about him not liking the vet or being aggressive at the vet's. He is going to have to wear a soft muzzle there, and have vet techs or members of your family to hold him. He needs to be examined.

Regarding not drinking....are you sure he has had nothing at all to drink in two days? If you are certain then that is really important and serious. He MUST have fluids.

A healthy dog should drink between 1/2 and 1 ounce of water per pound of bodyweight per day. So for a 75lb dog, that is getting on for 60-75 ounces. A more active dog, or during hot weather, more is needed. Especially if their only food is dry food (which it shouldn't be anyway)

If you must feed dry kibble, then cooking meat or fish with some vegetables in water, and keeping the juice, not throwing it away, then serving that with a little dry food, is a good way to make sure a dog who doesn't drink enough is getting fluid top-ups with their meals.
Usually even a dog who isn't interested in water will lap up the meat juices and the thin 'gravy' to get to the meat!

But if your dog refuses even those fluids, then he is in danger of serious dehydration, and it cannot go on another day. If he keeps refusing liquids then he will need intravenous fluids very quickly.

Plus he needs to see the vet about that leg a.s.a.p.
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Avatar universal
"..he scratches constantly, chews at himself and on is inner leg..".

"..Should I be concerned about any of this?..".  

I can't believe you need someone to answer that question for you.
Helpful - 0
974371 tn?1424653129
Are you sure he isn't drinking? I doubt he would be urinating if he wasn't't getting some fluid intake.  Do you, or have you, tried adding water to his food?  Woukd he drink some chicken or beef broth?  Any new bedding, shampoos, foid, treats?  Any chance you could try to check for a bite, scratch, etc on that leg?  If he doesn't want you touching it, something is hurting him.  Sorry, not much I can suggest other then a visit to the Vet.  The Vet may have to muzzle him or give him light sedation to check him.  
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675347 tn?1365460645
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