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What to do if my dog won't eat, drink, is lethargic, and drooling?

Updated on September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Female | unspayed | 1 year old | 50 lbs

Hi. My dog won't eat or drink and is very low energy as well as excessive drooling

3 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

Veterinarian

Published on December 27th, 2018

Cookie sounds very ill at the moment. Her symptoms are non-specific and could be caused by a lot of different things such as GI illness, eating something rotten, a foreign body, or a pyometra. I think she seems sick enough to see a vet now, and I strongly urge you to take her into one immediately. Best of luck.

1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

Related Answers from Veterinarians

Answered By Jenny, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on January 28th, 2018
she may have gotten bitten or eaten or licked something that hurt or tasted bad. Try to check her mouth for any wounds, burns or ulcers as drooling and itching can be a sign of pain. I would try to rinse her mouth with water to help. You may have to liquefy her food to help her eat and give her ice if needed. If this does not help then I would find a vet to examine her
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Answered By Destini R. Holloway, DVM
Veterinarian
Published on January 14th, 2018
Poor girl. It sounds like she may have fractured her jaw. I would highly recommend taking her in to your local vet or ER vet right away for x-rays of her mouth and pain medication. I really hope that your pet Cookie will be ok. Other possibilities here are a tick paralysis or tetanus. Please have Cookie seen right away. Best of luck to you and take care.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful

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My dog is vomiting, lethargic, has diarrhea, and no appetite. Why?

It sounds like your dog is sick. The drooling can be due to nausea, and the lethargy, vomiting, anorexia, and diarrhea could be due to a severe GI illness, eating something rotten, pancreatitis, or a foreign body. I would take your dog into a vet right away for an exam, he sounds quite ill with all these symptoms, and he needs to be medically treated ASAP.

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My dog eats and drinks but is losing weight and energy. What's wrong?

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I’m sorry to hear about Cookie! Excessive drooling is a common sign of nausea- which make since if he’s recently eaten plastic. If he vomits again or does not want to eat for more than 24 hours, it’s time to see the vet as these could signal an intestinal blockage. Your vet wil likely recommend x-rays if possible to help make that diagnosis. For now, do not force food or water, but keep both available in case he becomes interested. Best of luck to you and Cookie!

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