We all have those days where it’s harder to get out of bed, our energy is low, and we don’t feel like doing much of anything. But what does it mean when our dogs appear that way?
Maybe they seem groggy, slow, and aren’t excited by their favorite words such as “walk” or “car ride”. Or they may be laying around the house and sleeping more than usual.
Lethargy has a wide variety of causes and can range from a non-threatening one-day funk that resolves on its own, to more serious conditions that need medical attention such as heat stroke, anemia, low blood sugar and toxins. Any kind of sudden lethargy combined with other symptoms – especially collapse or bloat (sudden swelling of the abdomen) – may be signs of an urgent issue.
If your dog’s lethargy presents as a general slow laziness, it’s okay to monitor for 24 hours to see if they improve with rest. If your dog’s lethargy is accompanied by any other clinical signs, such as loss of appetite, obvious pain, fever, vomiting or diarrhea, breathing difficulties, behavioral issues, trembling, or disorientation, it’s best to check with your veterinarian.
Taking a mental note of all of your dog’s symptoms will help you and your veterinarian determine how serious the problem is.
Pro tips for visiting the veterinarian:
- If your dog has suddenly becomes lethargic or collapses, contact your veterinarian urgently.
- If your dog’s lethargy seems more like general slow laziness, it’s okay to monitor for 24 hours to see if they improve with rest.
- Taking a mental note of all of your dog’s symptoms will help your veterinarian get a complete picture of what the issue could be.