The IV drip usually runs very slowly. To me it sounds like your husband skimped with his intake for so long that he really was in pretty bad shape with being dehydrated. Plus throwing up on top of it. He was so low with fluids that his body is still playing catch up from when he was shorting himself. He really was starving and dehydrating himself to a critical point where that type of situation can become life threatening.

Is he able to drink? If so I suggest bringing a few of the small water bottles. Those seem to be much easier to get down than the 16+ oz other sizes. By drinking 4 of those little ones its like drinking 2 of the larger bottles. Put them in front of him and tell him he will need to begin helping to help himself with this and his body needs more fluids so drink. If he wont drink room temperature water, bring them in a little cooler with an ice pack to keep them cool. It should keep them chilled for at least 12 hours.

As the patient he is also responsible for his health and trying to help himself recover. I feel the patient really should be more responsible for their own health. You as the caregiver can only do so much with such a stubborn patient. You can lead a horse to water but you cant make him drink. Im not trying to be funny, but it seemed like that phrase was relevant to your situation.

Hang in there! Sometimes caregivers just have to play the "nurse from hell" role and tell their patients how it is to get them to understand. Hope you are using this time while your husband is hospitalized to do some nice things for yourself and to relax.

Best wishes!