Many people call their veterinarian because their dog seems more tired than usual. It’s a good idea any time you don’t know what is wrong with your pup and you notice a change in his normal routine that you do call your vet and make sure nothing is wrong. It is better to be reassured everything is fine, rather than waiting and allowing a serious problem to get worse.
Lethargy In Dogs
You wake up one morning and notice your faithful friend has no energy and doesn’t feel like playing. Maybe he isn’t interested in his favorite toy or going outside. There are a few other symptoms you should check. How is he breathing? This could indicate a problem with his heart or heartworms. Does he still want to eat? Is he vomiting? This might mean that he has an obstruction, or blockage. Is he asking to go outside more or less often? Is he having "accidents" inside? Lethargy in dogs can be caused by a number of diseases. It is good to check with your veterinarian to get a proper diagnosis.
Illnesses as Causes of Lethargy
A possible cause of lethargy in dogs is a bacterial or viral infection. If you are noticing lethargy and other symptoms, such as vomiting and/or diarrhea, you should bring your dog to the veterinarian as soon as you can. Dehydration or death from a serious infection is an outcome you want to avoid. Some of these illnesses can be prevented with vaccinations at your regular exam. Others will require antibiotics.
Another potential cause of lethargy is anemia, or a deficit of healthy red blood cells. Anemia is often caused by parasites, such as a flea infestation or intestinal parasites. This is often seen in puppies. There also may be internal bleeding, as in the case of an ulcer. A sign of severe anemia is pale gums.
Lethargy can also be a sign of heart disease or other organ disease. Heartworms may be the cause of fatigue and illness in dogs who are not on a prevention regimen. Heartworms come from mosquitoes, and it only takes one bite to lead to infection. Heartworms and congestive heart failure often look the same. The heart is not the only organ that can get diseased. Other organ disease also causes lethargy, so your veterinary team may investigate with lab work or diagnostic imaging to find the cause.
Age-Related Causes of Lethargy
Finally, some lethargy may be expected as a dog gets older. Problems with osteoarthritis can cause pain as the dog ages, and to avoid the pain, they will become less active. But old age itself is not a disease! If your dog is experiencing arthritic discomfort, we can help manage the pain and improve quality of life. During a visit with the doctor, we can explore options such as pain medications, physical therapy, or maybe even acupuncture! While we all generally tend to "slow down with age," we want to avoid as much pain for your pet as we can.
It is important for your dog that you schedule regular visits with your veterinarian so that you can make sure your dog is staying as healthy as possible. If your dog's behavior is out of the ordinary, including if he just seems more tired than usual, we recommend bringing him or her in for a physical exam. You can schedule your pet's appointment today!