Treatment for Lethargic Dogs. Buy Our Products at Local Retailers & Veterinarians. social@canna-pet.com Dog Weakness and Lethargy: Common Causes and Treatments Parvovirus is spread through feces. Treatment of lethargy in dogs. The most common cause of lethargy and loss of appetite in dogs is infection or disease. This can be caused by bacteria in stagnant water sources, such as puddles and ponds. Parvo is spread through feces. Keep in mind that as your dog ages, some lethargy will be normal. A dog's body consists of up to 80 percent water. Lethargy in dogs is a sign which suggests that the dog may not be well, either physically or mentally. Your dog’s shaking is accompanied with other symptoms, like lethargy, anxiety, diarrhea, limping, or vomiting. Lethargy in Dogs. Additionally, younger dogs can suffer from lethargy as a result of congenital heart diseases, pneumonia, anemia, fevers, and malnutrition. Especially if your dog has osteoarthritis. A lethargic dog may: Liver failure can be a cause of this lethargy due to pain, discomfort or a lack of proper nutrition. Lethargy in dogs that are older could be caused by osteoarthritis (deterioration of the cartilage in joints) which could mean that they feel pain when they move around too much especially if their pain is pronounced. Lethargy is a common symptom of a wide variety of dog ailments. It may have little to no impact on the affected individual; however its presence may represent severe or life-threatening illness. Many human medications, such as ibuprofen, are toxic to pets. It’s also important to make sure that you are feeding your dog a healthy, well-balanced diet. Something else to note is that your dog’s environment can be a cause of lethargy. Lethargy, also synonymous with laziness, affects animals in much the same way as it affects us humans. Lethargy and weakness -- these are vague but common symptoms of illness in dogs. Signs of lethargy include lack of appetite, shortness of breath, and dramatic change in behavior. The most notable symptoms of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs includes rapid breathing, coughing, shortness of breath, lethargy, anorexia and abdominal distension. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It’s a lazy weekend at home, and you are going about your business, cleaning the house, making lunch, doing laundry. Lethargy can indicate anything from chronic illness to a fatal medical issue. This disease is not easy and need to be cured in a very effective way. By Michelle McDaid. Ever feel drained and tired on a cloudy day? Sometimes lethargy is caused by nothing more than the dog’s age. You might consider writing down your findings, and book an appointment with your vet if your dog doesn’t seem to perk up after a day or so. Causes of Lethargic Dog Drooling. Some symptoms might include anemia, heart or respiratory conditions, inflammation or infection, dehydration, or hormonal changes. Lethargy is basically a decrease in activity level. Signs of Lethargy in Dogs. If there are no other symptoms, your vet might recommend further testing to try to rule out any other accompanying health conditions. “10 Warning Signs You Should Take Your Dog To The Vet”. The dog shows little or no interest in things in general, and there is a delay in response to external stimuli (such as sound, touch, smell, or sight) around him. Other diseases like an underactive thyroid cause lethargy. Lethargy can occur for many different reasons, some that are mild and do not need treatment and others that may be life-threatening. Other reasons behind lethargy in dogs or a certain age could be heart disease, diabetes, weight gain, general pain, hypothyroidism, and tick-borne diseases, to name a few. If you think your dog has consumed human medication -- or anything that might be toxic -- call your vet at once or call the Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435. A dog drooling that is also lethargic may be poisoned. A lethargic dog could be suffering from a disease affecting the liver — like leptospirosis. Flea and heartworm medications can sometimes trigger lethargy too. As dogs get older, they get lethargic more often. Their lack of energy keeps them on the couch, rather than wanting to go for a walk around the block. Medications can make dogs lethargic and lose interest in their normal day-to-day activities. Kennel cough is highly contagious and can cause lethargy. A dog with kennel cough may also have appetite loss, sneezing, and a fever. Some of these include: Depression. “Dog Weakness and Lethargy: Causes and Treatments.” WebMD, Accessed 18 March 2017. A dog that has been poisoned will likely lay down and pant heavily. Tweet. Your dog might be lethargic after a particularly long day and can perk back up in as little as 24 hours, but if you notice signs of lethargy for days at a time, you might want to consider other causes. Typically, dogs with such problems seem sick and more lethargic or depressed. There are only so many underlying conditions that trigger lethargy in dogs.The most evident signs of it are drowsiness, lack of activity, and a very … If you drop a pill, pick it up immediately -- before your dog does. OTC drugs like ibuprofen are poisonous for animals. Learn when you should be concerned and see a vet. Lethargy And Loss Of Appetite In Dogs. Distemper can cause additional symptoms along with lethargy, such as fever, coughing, and eye/nose discharge. As an example, if your dog normally greets you with eager excitement when you arrive home, but one day lies there sleeping instead, with zero interest in your arrival, you can be fairly certain something is amiss. Untreated diabetes can cause extreme lethargy. Distemper can cause symptoms such as fever, lethargy, discharge from the eyes and nose, and coughing. Your dog may be depressed due to the loss of a playmate or family member. The problems and diseases that cause lethargy range from minor bothers that will typically go away untreated, to serious and sometimes life-threatening issues that require extensive medical care. Lethargy and refusing to eat are common symptoms in a dog that has been poisoned. Your dog most probably is unwell and needs care. A dog that has been poisoned will likely lay down and pant heavily. Dog lethargy is not a condition that a vet will treat in and of itself, but your vet will look for underlying causes for the lethargy and attempt to treat those conditions.