You bring out a leash so you can take your dog to the dog park. But instead of charging toward you like a freight train, they show absolutely zero interest in the leash. They don’t even want to get up from their bed.
Your pet, you think, must be feeling unwell. And what is one of the most common signs of illness in a dog? Low energy.
In a vast majority of animals, lethargy is a red flag that something’s wrong. So if your dog refuses to go for a walk or play with their favorite toy, pay close attention to them for other symptoms of ailments.
What is Lethargy in Dogs?
Lethargy is more than just being tired – it’s a drastic drop in energy and enthusiasm. It may manifest as slow movements, inactivity, excessive sleep, and delayed responses to stimuli. A lethargic dog appears extremely tired despite little or no activity. They also display exercise intolerance – a reduction in their ability to exercise at a level appropriate for their size and age.
Lethargy isn’t normal to healthy dogs and is often a common symptom of an underlying problem. For example, one dog may be experiencing mild lethargy due to a flea infection. Another may be extremely tired after eating food contaminated by an intestinal parasite. Yet another could be suffering from an illness caused by a defective organ.
Whatever the cause of this major change in your dog’s behavior, trust that with proper diagnosis and treatment, a vet can restore your pet to their usual, energetic, and healthy self.
Possible Causes of Lethargy in Dogs
Let’s explore the most common causes of lethargy in dogs.
1. Infections
Various infection types – including viral, bacterial, and parasitic – can drain your dog of energy. Some of the most common infections that cause lethargy in dogs include:
Parvovirus
Among the worst things that can happen to a dog is to catch the potentially lethal, easily communicable parvovirus. This infection causes severe diarrhea, abnormally high or low body temperature, and lethargy in dogs. It can also weaken the immune system and damage the intestines.
Emergency treatment for a dog with parvovirus includes supporting their immune system so they can fight off the virus. The best protection against parvovirus is vaccination.
Distemper
A lethargic dog may have been infected with canine distemper if they exhibit other symptoms such as vomiting, coughing, nasal discharge, and fever. Neurological issues such as localized, involuntary muscle twitching may also develop.
Because distemper can seriously threaten a dog’s life, a pet parent should take an infected pooch to the veterinarian immediately. Emergency treatment may involve the use of antibiotics, anticonvulsants, and fluids.
Leptospirosis
If a dog drinks water contaminated with the Leptospira bacteria, they may get infected with leptospirosis. Leptospirosis can cause lethargy in pets as well as other problems, including vomiting, diarrhea, severe muscle pain, and the rejection of food. Severe cases can lead to liver damage, kidney damage, or even death.
A vet treats leptospirosis using antibiotics. Hydration therapy and dialysis may also be required to restore a pet’s health.
Heartworm disease
With a single bite, a mosquito can infect a dog with heartworms, which then invade the heart, lungs, and related vessels.
Signs of heartworm disease include a mild yet persistent cough, exhaustion following moderate exercise, and inexplicable weight loss. It can also make a dog lethargic.
Untreated heartworm disease damages a dog’s major organs, ultimately leading to death. Thankfully, a vet can restore a dog’s health using oral medications and injections.
Kennel cough
This contagious disease affects the respiratory system, resulting in a strong, dry cough that sounds like honking, as well as a runny nose, sneezing, fever, and lethargy.
Untreated kennel cough can kill. Take an infected dog to the vet immediately so they can be treated with antibiotics, cough suppressants, and bronchodilators.
2. Organ and metabolism disorders
Many chronic ailments can make any dog lethargic.
Heart disease
Heart problems such as congestive heart failure can transform a healthy dog into a lethargic dog. Other problems that may arise include excess panting, breathing difficulties, bluish gums, exercise intolerance, collapse, and more.
Watch for every sign of trouble and contact a vet for advice about your dog’s condition. Heart medicine, diuretics, and a special diet can help pets with heart disease.
Diabetes
Diabetes occurs when your dog’s pancreas doesn’t produce sufficient insulin to balance their blood sugar levels. It can cause excessive thirst, weight loss, and, as the condition worsens, vomiting, depression, and lethargy.
Untreated diabetes can cause kidney failure, blindness, seizures, and liver enlargement. A diabetic pet needs insulin injections and vet-approved diet changes to stay healthy.
Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia is a dangerous drop in blood sugar levels. It can make your dog lethargic and result in restlessness, anxiety, shivering, confusion, visual impairment, increased hunger, heart palpitations, and unconsciousness.
Untreated hypoglycemia can be deadly, so consider the condition an emergency. Treatment by a vet involves glucose ingestion or injection, medication, and possibly even tumor removal.
Cushing’s disease
Cushing’s disease is the excess production of cortisol, which can damage a dog’s kidney. Its symptoms include lethargy, increased appetite and thirst, excessive panting, hair loss, fragile or thin skin, recurring skin infections, and a pot-bellied appearance.
A vet can treat Cushing’s disease through medication or the removal of adrenal tumors. Management requires long-term medication.
Liver disease
The liver helps your dog with digestion and removes toxins from their system. If it becomes impaired, you can end up with a lethargic dog. Other signs of liver disease include increased thirst, confusion, vomiting, weight loss, seizures, and an unstable walk.
Liver disease can cause a coma or even death if left untreated. Treatment by a vet includes medication, diet adjustments, and, if necessary, surgery.
3. Mental health problems
A lethargic dog may be going through issues that affect their mind and emotions.
Depression
Depression is one of the most common causes of lethargy in dogs.
If your pet is depressed, they’ll also display symptoms such as a loss of interest in activities they previously enjoyed, sleep disturbances, appetite changes, and maybe even displays of aggression. Another sign of this issue is whining or howling for seemingly no reason.
Helping depressed dogs requires vet-prescribed anti-anxiety medication, behavior management techniques, and lots of love and attention from their pet owners.
Canine cognitive dysfunction
Your dog’s body grows weaker with age. However, canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD), which is essentially dementia in dogs, can also result in lethargy or behaviors that resemble lethargy. For instance, older dogs with CCD may withdraw from social interaction, show decreased interest in activities, and sleep more often.
Other CCD signs include confusion, house soiling, restlessness, repetitive movements, difficulty eating, and difficulty locating their food or water bowl.
CCD can’t be cured. However, an affected senior dog will benefit from veterinary care and behavior modification.
4. Other potential causes
Here’s a list of the many other potential causes of lethargic behavior in dogs:
- Addison’s disease
- Anal gland issues
- Anemia
- Arthritis
- Bloat
- Cancers
- Dehydration
- Gastrointestinal issues (vomiting, diarrhea, etc.)
- Glaucoma
- Heat exhaustion
- Heatstroke
- Hormone disorders (e.g. hypothyroidism)
- Hypothermia
- Immune system problems
- Inflammation
- Intestinal parasites (roundworms, tapeworms, etc.)
- Malnutrition
- Medication side effects
- Neurological disorders
- Pain
- Physical trauma/injury
- Poisoning
- Respiratory conditions
- Skin diseases
- Skin parasites (ticks, fleas, etc.)
- Snakebite
- Urinary tract disorders
How to Help Lethargic Dogs
If you notice your dog acting lethargic, don’t force them to engage in any of their normal activities. Do your best to make them comfortable and watch them for symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, breathing difficulties, paleness, restlessness, reduced appetite, fever, wobbliness, and the like.
Contact a vet and inform them of any symptoms you’ve observed. Follow their advice; if they ask you to bring your pet to the clinic for diagnosis and treatment, do so. Be especially quick if your dog requires emergency care.
With the help of vet nurses, vets can treat and/or manage many common conditions that make dogs lethargic. The next steps concerned fur parents should take depend on what’s ailing their pets.
Lethargic Dogs: The Conclusion!
If you notice lethargy in your pooch, know that they may be suffering from an ailment. So observe them for symptoms of health issues, and call up a vet for advice on what you can do to help. Your dedication will ensure your dog’s health and happiness!