My dog is lethargic, throwing up, and breathing hard. Is it serious?

Unfortunately, [vomiting](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/vomiting-1/), lethargy and increased respiratory rate all have can have [multiple causes](https://www.petcoach.co/article/top-10-warning-signs-that-require-a-veterinary-visit). Some can be serious and others not so serious. She might have eaten something that either disagreed with her or may be causing an [obstruction](https://www.petcoach.co/article/7-things-you-should-know-about-foreign-bodies-in-dogs) somewhere in her gastrointestinal tract. She could be sore from an unknown injury. She could have been exposed to or ingested a[ toxin](https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-cleaning-products-that-are-toxic-to-pets) or irritant in her environment or this could be early signs of another condition or disease process. A complete physical exam by your veterinarian or at the nearest veterinary ER would be recommended if symptoms persist for more than 24 hours. Supportive care (IV or subcutaneous fluids, medication, etc.) may be administered until a diagnosis is reached.[ Your vet](https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-signs-you-should-take-your-dog-to-the-vet-right-away) can perform an exam, blood work and possibly x-rays to determine the cause of the illness and suggest an effective treatment plan.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am suspicious that this could be something other than gastrointestinal issues from that. It is hard to know what exactly is going on however he is displaying some signs of potentially being sick such as labored breathing, lethargy and vomiting. I highly recommend that you have Harley evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to perform a physical examination and start there depending on what they think could be wrong. For example, if his lung sounds appear abnormal, they may proceed with chest X-rays. They can then treat accordingly. Good luck and have a good night!

Hello, and thank you for your question. It sounds like Star is severely ill, and I would definitely recommend taking him to the emergency vet tonight. The diarrhea and vomiting has likely contributed to dehydration and subsequent lethargy, and this needs to be corrected as soon as possible at the vet, as he will most certainly continue to worsen otherwise. Possible causes include toxin ingestion, foreign body ingestion, gastroenteritis, or pancreatitis. The vet can perform tests to determine the cause of his illness, such as blood work, x-rays or ultrasound, while they continue to stabilize him. I hope this helps, and that Star feels better soon!

Labored breathing and vomiting are very concerning signs. In an older, large-breed dog like your girl, I would be worried about bloat as a possible cause of her symptoms - this can be a life-threatening emergency, so needs to be treated right away. Many other things can also cause vomiting, including pancreatitis, liver or kidney disease, exposure to something toxic, or an intestinal obstruction. Based on your description, I would recommend taking her to the emergency vet tonight - she may have a serious problem that can't wait until morning.

He should be examined by a vet to determine the cause, especially if he is lethargic. He could have an infection, parasite, pancreatitis, kidney disease, liver disease, endocrine disease, obstruction/foreign body. Your vet can run labwork and take xrays to help diagnose and prescibe medications to treat. He may need fluids to prevent dehydration and medications to control the vomiting.

I am sorry to hear about your dog. These symptoms are indications that your dog needs to see a vet right away. Any time we have breathing issues, it is considered an emergency. There are many different causes for lethargy and difficulty breathing but could include an infection in the lungs, a problem with the heart, anemia/low red blood cells, trauma to name just a few. The vet will do an exam and may recommend x-rays of the lungs and/or bloodwork to check for low red blood cells and signs of systemic disease. They may provide oxygen support if needed and will base treatment on the results of testing. I wouldn't delay in getting her in right away!

If she was vaccinated as a puppy, then it would be very unlikely for a dog this age to get distemper. However, what you are describing is concerning. Labored breath along with vomiting can indicate a severe disease that is affecting her heart and/or lungs. Either way, they are both emergencies, because these situations have the potential to be life-threatening if not treated soon enough. I recommend taking her to the emergency vet for this, because it may be too long to wait until normal business hours. The vets will be able to assess the severity of the problem, hopefully find the cause and give her the necessary treatment. I hope that helps and Kate gets better soon.