You expect your pet to be pooped when you have spent a few hours throwing balls or walking in the woods. But what if he seems exhausted and listless before he puts his paws in motion?
Lethargic pets almost certainly have a physical problem, says Sheldon A. Steinberg, V.M.D., professor of neurology at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine in Philadelphia. Lethargy is easier to recognize in dogs than in cats, he adds, since cats are naturally less excitable. "My cat may or may not get up to greet me, but the dog will always be alert and awake," he says.
Pets with anemia, a condition in which red blood cells are either in short supply or they aren't carrying enough oxygen, will often be tired and lethargic. Anemia can be caused by an ulcer, poor diet, or, more often, by parasites like fleas or hookworms, which can remove large amounts of energy-giving blood.
Lethargy can also be caused by pain. Conditions such as arthritis, hip dysplasia, and even dental problems will often make pets tired and reluctant to move, says Ronald Stone, D.V.M., a veterinarian and clinical assistant professor of surgery at the University of Miami School of Medicine in Florida.
The thyroid gland has been called the body's gas pedal because it controls the rate of metabolism. Pets with underactive thyroid glands, or hypothyroidism, can get extremely lethargic, says Charles Lowrie, D.V.M., associate professor of neurology and neural surgery at the Veterinary Teaching Hospital at Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine in East Lansing. This condition usually occurs in middle-aged dogs, although cats can get it, too. Dog breeds most susceptible to hypothyroidism include Doberman pinschers, dachshunds, English bulldogs, golden retrievers, and springer and cocker spaniels.
Finally, pets that are overweight will sometimes have low energy, says Dr. Stone. In pets as in humans, overweight is usually a result of eating too much or not getting enough exercise.
See Your Vet If...
- Your pet has fleas
- He is having trouble walking or chewing
- He is middle-aged or overweight
- Your pet has been hit by a car or has taken a bad fall, even if she seems fine afterward
- She is acting confused and disoriented
- The joints are swollen or tender
- Her sleep patterns have suddenly changed
- She is fainting or having seizures
- Your pet has gotten wobbly or clumsy
- She is stiff or sore for no apparent reason
- Her abdomen is bloated or feels tight
- Your pet is pregnant and overdue or has passed a dead kitten or puppy
- Her feet are cold or swollen
- Her skin, gums, or mucous membranes are turning yellow
- Your pet is reluctant to move or can't stand up
- She is shivering or shaking even when it isn't cold
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