There ’s a difference between a sofa potato and a lethargic dog . While your couch potato wiener may just be a tad indolent , a lethargic hound usually need aesculapian attending . Luckily , even a low - get-up-and-go dog can signal to you that they ’re not feeling like themselves .
obtain out what eyetooth lethargy is , potential causal agent , and the steps you should take to aid your dog .
What Is Lethargy in Dogs?
Lethargy in dogs is defined as a decrease in energy and activity levels . If your dog is lethargic , you may notice they ’re lounging around more than usual , uninterested in caper , indifferent to walks , acting sluggish , and/or potentially not as interested in intellectual nourishment as they typically would be .
While it ’s normal forsenior dogsto have a lower energy degree than robustious puppies , that does n’t intend that the senior dog is lethargic . Similarly , a low - energyPugisn’t lethargic just because they do n’t have the natural agility of a Border Collie !
Remember , lethargy demand a decrease in push and activity liken with the individual hound ’s common baseline . “ unenrgetic ” isnota synonym for “ lazy , ” “ tranquil , ” “ allow , ” or “ relaxed . ”
Why Is My Dog Lethargic?Causesof Canine Lethargy
Your dog could be act lethargic for a wide of the mark smorgasbord of reason . Here , we ’ll cover general ground for a dog acting slow :
Infectious Disease
We go through lethargy when we ’re unbalanced , and our dogs are no different . Infections are usually bacterial , viral , fungous , orparasitic . exercise of infectious disease that can cause languor in dog include parvovirus , kennel cough , canine influenza , swamp fever , heartworms , andhookworms .
Pain
Pain is an authoritative cause of sudden lethargy in dogs . Pain can halt fromarthritis , dental disease , injuries , intervertebral disc disease , and more . regrettably , your pawl can not well tell you what hurt . fortuitously , vet are accustomed to figuring it out !
Chronic Health Conditions
Many canine wellness condition let in inanition as a symptom . Examples includekidney disease , hypothyroidism , Cushing ’s disease , diabetes , heart disease , andcancer . Chronic wellness conditions are generally more common in older dog but can once in a while hap in immature dogs .
Stress and Anxiety
While some wienerwurst become more hyperactive when experiencingstressand anxiety , other dogs act withdrawn . Causes of strain and anxiety could let in thunderstorms or pyrotechnic , moving to a fresh home , a recent veterinary visit , a unexampled pet or person in the menage , deficiency of sufficient exercise or mental arousal , and more .
Medications
Lethargy is a commonly listed side gist of many medications . Lethargy is often notice after a dog receives pain medications , anxiety medications , or sedative drug . It ’s also coarse for a dog to remain unenrgetic for around a Clarence Day after undergoinganesthesia . While it ’s potential for some antibiotic drug to make a dog tired , keep in judgment that the underlying contagion that the antibiotic are treating may also contribute to lethargy .
Vaccinations
Your domestic dog may not feel quite like themself for a day or two after receiving avaccination . Lethargy , achiness , and low grade fevers are normal side effects of recent vaccination .
Lethargic DogSymptoms
Other symptoms that hap at the same time with lethargy could suggest that your frump is experiencing a aesculapian issue . Examples of what to watch for include :
How to Helpa Lethargic Dog: Next Steps
If you ’re noticing your dog acting lethargic , the first affair you ’ll require to do is observe them , taking note of any other symptom that they ’re show .
A detent represent lethargic with an obvious lawsuit , such as recent vaccination or taking pain medicament after surgery , may not be a suit for care if they are otherwise still eating and act okay .
If your dog has been acting lethargic for more than one day , you should adjoin your vet . They may suggest bringing your puppy in for an appointee to prevail out pain in the ass , infections , and health conditions as causa .
adjoin your veterinarian if your blackguard is feel other issues in add-on to lethargy , such as emesis , diarrhoea , or limping . You should also get through your vet if you have a lethargic pup . pup are very susceptible to infective disease and several other causes of lethargy . If your pup is not eating much and sleeping a batch , peach to your vet .
If your hotdog is collapse , has pallid or yellowish glue , is feature difficulty external respiration , or is show any other serious symptoms , seek hand brake attending .
If you mention any other changes from your dog ’s normal demeanor , ensure to talk about these with your veterinarian . The more selective information your veterinary surgeon know , the easier it will be for them to find out what ’s get your dog ’s lethargy .
Diagnosticsfor Lethargic Dogs
Your veterinarian ’s very first step will be to discuss your pet ’s account and do a full examination . The information your veterinarian gather will drive what diagnostics they perform next .
Common diagnostics for a wienerwurst show languor include :
In puppies and unvaccinated detent , parvo tests are also common for lethargic dogs .
In some case , extra testing may be recommended . This would depend on your individual pet ’s symptoms and what baseline testing show .
Treatmentfor Dog Lethargy
The handling for your pawl ’s lethargy will depend on the suspected lawsuit : a dog suspected of having a bacterial infection may be given antibiotics . A frankfurter with diabetes may be started oninsulinand a particular diet , while a dog with arthritis might embark on charter pain medication .
Your pet ’s overall prognosis depends on the fundamental causal agent . For exercise , an infection may meliorate over 10 to 14 days . Dental pain may resolve within a week or two of aprofessional dental cleaning . Arthritis pain may be controlled after a month or two of consistent treatments but may relapse as the arthritis worsens . Dogs with systemic health conditions like chronic kidney disease may also improve with supportive charge but later decline as the condition progresses . Your veterinarian is your skillful source for what to ask in your pup ’s item-by-item case .
Bottom pipeline , if you have any concern about your dog ’s behaviour , including decreases in their vigor grade , it ’s important to speak with your veterinary . Lethargy in dogs in the main has an underlying cause and should n’t be ignored .
