Why is my dog still lethargic days after vet sedation for nails?

Hello, and thank you for your question. It is concerning that his lethargy has been persisting for so long. It is difficult to say what this could be, but some dogs are hardy enough that the only symptom they may show of being ill is lethargy. I would certainly recommend having him checked out by a vet to be sure we are not missing a medical issue. They can perform a full physical exam to check for any areas of pain or infection, and may recommend additional blood tests or x-rays depending on what is found on the physical exam. For example, some problems I commonly see after grooming visits are skin or ear infections. If this is detected by the vet, they can recommend medications to help clear the issue. If he physically checks out fine, it is possible this may be a purely behavioural issue, in which case the vet can also provide advice on how to help as well. I hope this helps, and that Chewy is feeling better soon!

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I'm sorry to hear Squeak hasn't been feeling well after a tooth extraction. With older cats, it sometimes can take a couple of days for them to recover from anesthesia, depending on the medications that were used. Did Squeak have any bloodwork run before his procedure? If he had an underlying kidney or liver issue, it could explain some of the signs that you are seeing now. If he is still on pain medications for his tooth extraction, it could also be that he is weak if the medication is affecting him strongly. If he hasn't had bloodwork done, I would recommend checking his liver and kidney function, as well as screening for diabetes, all of which could be adversely affecting him. Additionally, there are appetite stimulants for cats that can be given post-surgery to help kickstart them into eating normally again. I would recommend Squeak be re-evaluated by his veterinarian and have any testing done that may be necessary to start treatment to get him back on track. Good luck!

Any time there's extreme lethargy and lack of appetite it's safest to go right in to the vet. This may be completely unrelated to the dewclaw injury, or it could have gotten infected making him feel sick. However, another (imperfect) guideline I'll use is if he can be enticed to eat a treat (such a bit of chicken), it can probably wait until tomorrow. If he turns his nose at even the tastiest treat, better to be seen right away. Hope he feels better!

I would recommend having her seen by the veterinarian that performed the ultrasound for a recheck. If after 48 hours my patients are still sedated and not feeling well after I give them sedatives in the hospital, I want to see them for a physical examination just to make sure everything is ok. Every dog is different and depending on the sedatives used, could cause sedation for days after the drugs were given. My own dog used to take 72 hours to recover from a morphine injection so I have been in the same position as you. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

He could simply be tired, but if it goes on for more than 24 hours, I'd recommend a check up with his vet to make sure nothing is going on. He could have pulled a muscle or eaten something more than you realized during the visit. If he's not eating, extremely lethargic, or vomiting, I'd go to the vet ASAP.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Lack of energy can be the sign of many things that go from just being tired to actually representing a problem like due to pain for example. If he is otherwise fine, I recommend you keep a close eye on him for now. If there is no improvement within the next 2-3 days, have him evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a great day!

Hello, sorry to hear about Taz. Sedatives and anesthesia may take up to 24-32 hours to wear off in some dogs, particularly older patients. Other factors that contribute to this include any concurrent illnesses such as liver disease, kidney disease, or even his ulcer. If Taz continues to be sedate and without an appetite, then he should be rechecked at the latest tomorrow morning. If he seems more lethargic or painful, then he should be evaluated sooner. Please contact your veterinarian to inform them that Taz is still sedate and not wanting to eat as they may want to see him sooner depending on his concurrent medical history and what agents they used for anesthesia. Hope this helps and best of luck.