My dog is lethargic

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

Worse than that, he’s off his food. He’s a labrador and poor appetite is unknown to him.

He was fine first thing this morning. Bounded around kissing everyone just as he does every morning. Outside for toileting (normal). Acted as though he hadn’t been fed for a week when I went to get his bowl (normal). Ate, drank, toilet again - all normal.

Then a couple of hours ago my son noticed he was a bit sluggish: not bounding around as he normally does. The son offered him a treat and he wasn’t interested. Unheard of.

He’s almost nine years old but still behaves a lot like a puppy, which isn’t unusual, I’m told, for Labs. He’s never been sick, apart from one time about seven years ago when he ate something he shouldn’t have.

It’s quite hot and humid here today but I’ve never known him to react to the heat like this - apart from seeking out the air conditioner.

How worried should I be? I don’t want to wait if he’s sick but I don’t want to go dashing off to the vet unnecessarily either.

2

I have a 9 year old black lab/border collie mix, if he was sluggish and not eating, we’d be off to the vet first thing in the morning.

Is he drinking water and peeing normally? If not, I might be tempted to take him to an emergency pet hospital.

Is it at all possible he got into some anti-freeze or other chemical? It kinda sounds like what happens when they get into that sort of thing.

Good luck! I hope he’s better soon!

3

I’ve spoken to the vet and I’m taking him in tomorrow morning. He’s about the same. Not vomiting or other gastro abnormalities. He is drinking but not particularly interested. Just listless. He doesn’t feel hot, but I don’t know if that signifies a lack of fever.

He’s had no access to chemicals of any kind. This just came out of nowhere.

Thanks, Rhiannon. Poor pup, he’s just not himself.

4

Let me know how he’s doing when you get back, ok?

I hope he’s doing better!

5

Large breeds are prone to what is called “bloat” which basically means the stomach has twisted. It can happen when the dog basically gobbles a meal. Be sure and ask the vet if this is a possibility since his lethergy happened after a meal and probably a romp round the yard. Good luck.

6

Just back from the vet. Shuki (the dawg) is a lot better this morning but I took him in anyway. He’s been checked over and everything seems OK. His temp is at the upper limmit of normal (39.9) and the vet thinks he may have had a 24 hour virus or just been listless because of the heat, although he’s never reacted that way before.

His appetite is back and he’s his old frisky self. I’m such a worry wart. Thanks to both of you.

7

Glad to hear the Shuki is better!