Dogs
Lethargy also synonymous with laziness, affects animals in much the same way as it affects us humans. By definition, lethargy is a state of inactivity or sluggishness. In most cases, it indicates a dog illness. You may notice sudden laziness in your dog. It can also be a gradual onset.
Here are some symptoms that you need to check your pet for:
Causes
If your dog is showing signs of laziness don't ignore it, your dog most probably is unwell and needs care.
When your dog exhibits signs of laziness and lack of activity, some simple measures can be taken to ensure that your pet returns to his normal self. A simple change in diet can work wonders. Many a time, a dog may be lethargic due to the simple lack of stimulus. Make sure your dog gets enough exercise. Take your pet out for a walk. One should try and introduce a change in the pet's daily routine. Even a new dog bone or a ball can work wonders. Many times, a dog may feel neglected and thus lose interest in his favorite activities. Ensure that you take out enough time during the day to spend with your dog.
Simple diet supplements like vitamin B complex can make a considerable difference. One can also try digestive enzymes to improve the dog's digestion and nutrition intake. Some dog owners swear by herbal tonics, especially if the dog is recovering from an illness. Usually, lethargy is caused due to the lifestyle a dog leads but if you notice some other signs like the above mentioned ones, its best to consult a vet.
Things Your Vet Should Check
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Dogs
Lethargy in Dogs
Lethargy also synonymous with laziness, affects animals in much the same way as it affects us humans. By definition, lethargy is a state of inactivity or sluggishness. In most cases, it indicates a dog illness. You may notice sudden laziness in your dog. It can also be a gradual onset.
Here are some symptoms that you need to check your pet for:
- Is he inactive most of the day?
- Has your dog lost interest in his favorite activities like walks and games?
- Is he slow to respond?
- Is your pet experiencing watery stool or vomiting?
- Has his diet reduced?
- Does he tire easily?
- Is your pet showing signs of fever or weakness?
- Is your pet reluctant to go to the bathroom?
Causes
If your dog is showing signs of laziness don't ignore it, your dog most probably is unwell and needs care.
- Extreme tiredness may show up if your dog is suffering from an infectious viral disease like Canine Distemper or Parvovirus infection. Even a gastrointestinal infection may show lethargy as a symptom.
- In aging pets, it may show up as a symptom of arthritis and senility. Obesity also triggers lethargy.
- Fever also results in sluggishness.
- Low body temperature or Hypothermia; since puppies and aged pets face difficulty in regulating their body temperature, is another cause of laziness.
- Ear infections can also trigger it.
- It is also a sign of certain disorders like hypothyroidism, Addison's disease and diabetes mellitus.
- Anemia can also be a cause as the lack of red blood cells leads to lack of oxygen, making the dog lazy. Check your pet for signs of dog fleas and dog worms.
- Lack of nutrition or malnutrition is a common cause.
- In more serious cases, extreme lethargy coupled with other symptoms such as vomiting, loss of vision or appetite, bleeding, abdominal swelling, etc may indicate dog cancer.
When your dog exhibits signs of laziness and lack of activity, some simple measures can be taken to ensure that your pet returns to his normal self. A simple change in diet can work wonders. Many a time, a dog may be lethargic due to the simple lack of stimulus. Make sure your dog gets enough exercise. Take your pet out for a walk. One should try and introduce a change in the pet's daily routine. Even a new dog bone or a ball can work wonders. Many times, a dog may feel neglected and thus lose interest in his favorite activities. Ensure that you take out enough time during the day to spend with your dog.
Simple diet supplements like vitamin B complex can make a considerable difference. One can also try digestive enzymes to improve the dog's digestion and nutrition intake. Some dog owners swear by herbal tonics, especially if the dog is recovering from an illness. Usually, lethargy is caused due to the lifestyle a dog leads but if you notice some other signs like the above mentioned ones, its best to consult a vet.
Things Your Vet Should Check
- Complete blood count to rule out anemia
- Urine and fecal analysis
- X-rays of the chest and abdomen
- Endocrine checks
- Cytology and biopsy of abnormal fluid or tissues
- Abdominal or thoracic/cardiac ultrasound
- Biochemical profile
- Eye examination
- What If My Dog Has Diabetes?
Just like humans, dogs can also acquire Diabetes. Diabetes Mellitus is a result of a deficiency in insulin- an enzyme that helps body tissues absorb blood sugar. Without insulin, sugar or glucose will not be able to enter the cells and will remain in...
- Gastroenteritis In Dogs
Gastroenteritis is a disease in which the dog's intestinal lining and the stomach are inflamed. This is a digestive disorder in which the intestines do not work correctly. This condition is observed in dogs of all age groups. Every dog breed...
- Canine Diarrhea
Canine diarrhea is one of the most common dog health problems. There are numerous causes for this condition and they include change in diet, food intolerance and consumption of table scraps or waste materials from trash. Sometimes, this condition...
- Canine Autoimmune Disease
Canine autoimmune disease is more or less similar to autoimmune disorders in humans. Some dog breeds are at a higher risk of developing this disease than others. As we all know, the immune system is responsible for recognizing any intrusion of microorganisms...
- Canine Anemia
Anemia can be defined as a lack or deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin, which is the hemoprotein responsible for binding with oxygen, and then transporting it to every cell of the body. Like humans, a dog can also have anemia. In humans,...