Why is my dog not himself? Here’s the Answer

Is my puppy sick or just tired?

One of the biggest causes of exercise intolerance in dogs — and lethargy — is obesity. Dogs who are carrying too much weight are at greater risk of heart disease, cancer and diabetes, as well as debilitating life-limiting conditions including arthritis.

Being obese is a serious impediment to your pet’s welfare. However, all is not lost if youre concerned about your pet. Many daytime vet practices will provide free weight checks and give advice on diet and exercise.

Puppies need a lot of rest. On average, they will sleep for between 15 and 20 hours a day and this is essential to their healthy development. But, during waking hours, puppies should be full of energy. If you have a puppy who is constantly tired and listless, you should contact your vet straight away as this is almost certainly a sign of an underlying problem. Lethargy is a symptom of a wide range of illnesses that can affect puppies, including parvovirus, pneumonia, anaemia, fever, congenital heart disease and malnutrition.

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When is Lethargy in Dogs a Cause for Concern?

Lethargy is a cause for concern when it is moderate to severe. For example, if your dog is so lethargic that nothing gets his attention, then this is probably severe lethargy and will require an immediate visit to the emergency vet.

On the other hand, if your dog is fairly lethargic but will still pay attention or try to get up if you offer him his favorite treat, this is probably moderate lethargy. He might still need an emergency vet depending on his other signs, but he might be able to wait for his regular vet. Never hesitate to speak to a vet or emergency vet if you’re unsure about what to do for your dog.

If your dog’s lethargy is mild, he probably doesn’t need to see a vet at all, and he certainly doesn’t need to see an emergency vet. Mild lethargy may occur in dogs who overexert themselves, especially in hot weather. They may be sound asleep for a long while and may not rouse, but when they do wake up again, they usually feel fine and behave like they normally do. A dog with mild lethargy probably just needs to sleep off whatever is causing the problem, but you can certainly contact your regular vet if you feel it’s best to do so.

14 Critical Signs Your Dog Is Begging For Help

Your dog is part of the family: They are your best friend, they eat your leftovers, and they accompany you on morning walks. But your dog can’t complain, so how do you know when to seek medical help? How can you tell if that limp signifies a sprain, or that sneeze requires an antibiotic?

It’s not out of the ordinary for your dog to skip a meal or two, especially if it’s hot outside — but any more than this should be a red flag that something’s off. Two days without eating is a clear sign that your dog needs an examination.

Some diseases cause dogs to develop unusual eating habits. If your dog is usually well-behaved but begins raiding the pantry or garbage, you should take them for a checkup.

It’s important to know about how much water your dog drinks each day. A dog that drinks more water than usual could be developing kidney disease or diabetes. You’ll be able to tell if your dog is drinking too much water if you have to refill the water bowl more than normal, or if they have an excessive amount of urine, need to go outside more often, or have accidents in the house.

A dog’s coat should be thick, shiny, and soft. A coat that’s dull, rough, dry, or has bald patches could indicate that something isn’t right. The wrong kind of food, an allergy, or a skin disease could be the culprit. Either way, a trip to the vet is a must for a questionable coat.

Lethargy is a sign that something may be troubling your dog. A lethargic dog may be uninterested in playing, going for a walk, or participating in activities they usually enjoy. Normal fatigue or sore muscles can sometimes be due to high temperatures, but you should see a vet if symptoms persist for more than two days.

Occasional vomiting isn’t unusual for dogs. Animals may vomit to get rid of something that doesn’t agree with them. But some vomiting should concern you. For example, you should call the vet immediately if your dog:

A dog’s stool is a good indicator of their overall health. A healthy dog will have small, firm, moist stools. Dry, hard stools may be a sign of health maladies, dietary problems, or dehydration. Take your dog to the vet if they have any of these symptoms:

Even in an overweight dog, sudden weight loss should prompt you to take them to the vet. Losing weight quickly and unexpectedly could indicate a serious health condition. If your dog drops in weight by 10 percent, bring it to your vet’s attention. In small dogs, this may be as little as a 1-pound weight loss.

Cloudy or red eyes, squinting, or excessive discharge from your dog’s eyes could indicate an infection or injury. Make sure you bring your dog for a checkup right away. Diseases affecting the eyes can progress rapidly and cause blindness. Medication can be used to cure an infection or alleviate clinical signs.

If your dog is scooting or dragging her rear on the floor, she may have worms, blocked or infected anal glands, urinary tract infection, or diarrhea.

Take your dog to the vet or an emergency vet clinic if they show any of the following symptoms:

Due to a dog’s survival instinct, they will work to appear healthy on the outside. It’s important as a pet owner to be observant and aware of the subtlest changes. You know your dog better than anyone, so if something seems wrong, take them to the veterinarian for a checkup.