What to do if my active dog is suddenly lethargic and won't eat?

This sounds very peculiar especially in such a young pup. I would be worried that he has a fever, and it would be important to check. If so, I would be suspicious of polyarthritis due to sepsis, lyme disease or other tick born diseases. Common conditions I see in young pups are pancreatitis, gastrointestinal parasites, and gastroenteritis. A good physical exam would be helpful. A painful abdomen, a positive fecal exam etc would help to narrow down what is going on.

It sounds like BeR is not feeling well. Just like people, there are many conditions that can make pets feel sick. This could range from bacterial over growth to intestinal blockage. Also like us, diseases are best addressed early and this may result in a better prognosis. You need to monitor your pup closely. If he is not eating or drinking well, if there is vomiting/diarrhea/coughing or signs of pain, I recommend to have him examined by the veterinarian today. If the lethargy lasts for 24 hours, your pup also needs to be examined. The doctor will need to learn the underlying cause in order to give appropriate treatment. Bring in a stool sample in case the doctor needs to test it. At home, your pup should rest today so no walks or playtime. Encourage eating and drinking. Fluid intake is very important when pets and people don't feel good. You may try offering a bland diet of boiled white meat chicken and white rice (this should all be plain). You can add extra water as well to increase the fluids. Hopefully this will pass quickly. I hope BeR starts feeling better quickly! Please feel free to post any additional questions.

Hi and thanks for posting. Sounds like this is unusual behavior for Ruby and certainly is concerning. There can be a number of things that may be going on here and it is very hard to say what exactly is the cause without examining Ruby in person. I would recommend Ruby sees a veterinarian for a hands on exam as soon as possible to help pinpoint where the problem is. Your veterinarian may also recommend x-rays, blood work, fecal testing, or other tests to aide in an accurate diagnosis.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Loss of appetite and lethargy can be observed with many conditions such as gastroenteritis, dietary indiscretion, kidney disease, pancreatitis, among many other possibilities. I recommend that you have Dexter evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for these possibilities and others depending on the findings on exam. Treatment would be based on findings. Good luck and have a great day! Hoping for a speedy recovery!

Poor Cobalt! It sounds like he is lethargic, and he does have a slight fever. Unfortunately these are very general signs of illness, and could be caused by systemic illness, infection, or inflammation. I would keep an eye on him for now, and if the fever goes above 39.5, he stops eating, he continues to be lethargic, or he develops other signs such as vomiting, take him into a vet immediately. I hope this helps!

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I'm sorry to hear that Brak n Jan is not doing well at home. Any signs of lethargy, decreased appetite, and acting abnormal, especially in a younger dog, warrant a visit to the veterinarian. A 2 year old Lab should have lots of energy and a good appetite if they are healthy. It is possible that he is systemically sick, either with gastrointestinal disease, liver or kidney disease, or other metabolic issue causing him to feel unwell. He may also be painful somewhere, causing him to not want to eat and walk slowly. I recommend contacting your veterinarian to have him seen at the next available appointment. Your vet will likely recommend bloodwork to look for any evidence of infection or organ abnormalities that can be treated. Do NOT give any pain medications that are intended for humans to Brak n Jan, as these can be fatally toxic to dogs. I hope this is helpful!

Oh no, I'm sorry Ziggy isn't doing well at all Edye and Chris! Based on the symptoms you have described, I wouldn't rush him into the ER vet tonight. It can be worrying that he has had minimal appetite today and is lethargic, but not eating or drinking for 3.5 hours isn't concerning just yet. You are correct that it could be his belly upsetting him, and I would monitor him overnight. Should he still not be eating or drinking in the morning, or if he is still lethargic, then I would take Ziggy into the vet. Over the night, if he starts vomiting, having diarrhea, or becomes very lethargic, then yes I would take him into an ER vet. Hopefully he just has an upset stomach and will feel better in the morning. You can try offering him some boiled white meat chicken (no bones) and white rice in small amounts to see if that tempts him to eat. I hope this helps and Ziggy feels better soon!