My dog lies down on walks, not tired. When should I see a vet?

It could be that Dakota is in pain, for example with arthritis pain in his hips, or a beginning heart condition that makes him tired fast. It may also just be a habit, but it is better to have him checked out by a veterinarian. If he is in pain, pain medicine for dogs will improve his quality of life significantly, and should he have a heart condition, catching it early will make it so much easier to treat and significantly prolong his life. Please schedule an exam with your veterinarian soon.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Moxie. I think that her sudden change in behavior is worrisome. Dogs can slow down as they age. However, she is only middle aged. Plus age changes are gradual. Not as dramatic as you have described. I recommend that she sees a veterinarian. I worry that she is painful somewhere. For example, neck and/or back pain is common in small and medium breed dogs. Arthritis or a soft tissue injury could also explain the signs you are seeing. The veterinarian will carefully examine her. X-rays may be recommended. Based on these results, treatment can be started to help her feel better. In the meantime, keep her quiet and do not give any over-the-counter pain medications as these can be toxic to dogs. I hope this information helps!

It is possible that Banba will not walk because of some medical problem such as hip dysplasia or even a cardiac condition. If she walks normally at home or in the yard, the source is behavioral. I would suggest a visit to the vet to rule out any physical reason for what she's doing. If she is healthy, I can help--just click on the prompt to initiate a consult.

This could be due to something serious such as heart disease. Exercise intolerance is one of the first signs of heart disease, and it can be common in senior dogs. I'd have Poopsie seen by a vet for this problem. If she does have heart disease, the vet can manage her symptoms with medication. Best of luck.

I'm sorry Moose doesn't seem well! Lethargy is a very general sign of illness in dogs, and can be caused by many things including systemic illness, inflammation, infection, or injury. Given that he has eaten this morning and the symptoms just started, I would keep an eye on him for the next 48-72 hours. Should the lethargy continue over this time period, or he develops other signs such as anorexia, vomiting, and/or diarrhea, I would take Moose into the vet for a health check.

Lethargy can be a sign of illness, but it doesn't point to any one particular issue, and is rather a symptom than a cause. Unfortunately, without a vet exam, it would be hard to determine more than that. I would keep an eye on Oso for any other signs of illness that may indicate he needs to go to the vet. If you're having trouble affording care, this site can help give you some options that might help: https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/having-trouble-affording-veterinary-care

Poor Moose. It sounds like he may be in pain or anxious about something. I would have your vet take a look at him to ensure he isn't having any neck or back pain and to ensure that his abdomen also isn't painful. Your vet will be able to do an thorough exam to determine whether it is pain or anxiety and give him the proper meds to help him feel better. I do not recommend giving any human pain meds as most are toxic to dogs. I hope this helps!