Why is my dog acting lethargic and wobbly?

What if my dog is lethargic and limping, wobbly or shaky? Lethargy and shaking commonly indicate that your dog is in pain and may be intentionally limiting their movement to reduce it. These symptoms can also point to nerve or gastrointestinal issues, as well as soft tissue injuries and fever.
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What to do if your dog is suddenly lethargic and wobbly?

Lethargy in dogs is a lack of energy and can be a sign of an underlying health issue. Seek veterinary care for sudden or persistent lethargy, or if other concerning symptoms are present. Treatment depends on the underlying cause and may involve fluid therapy, medication, and other treatments.
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Why is my dog lethargic and losing balance?

Loss of balance can result from a number of serious underlying medical issues, including poisoning, stroke, injury, or an infection. In today's blog, our Rock Hill Emergency and Specialty Vets explain why you should get to an animal hospital right away if your dog is experiencing balance issues.
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Why is my dog lethargic and having trouble walking?

A wide range of chronic conditions can leave dogs weak or lethargic. That includes heart problems, liver problems, diabetes, and hypoglycemia. Heart disease. Lethargy and reduced tolerance for exercise are the early signs of congestive heart failure in dogs.
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Why is my dog suddenly disoriented and wobbly?

Potential causes include inner/middle ear infections, intoxication, strokes, tumors, infectious or inflammatory diseases (meningitis), idiopathic vestibular disease (also called “old dog” vestibular syndrome), or other less likely causes.
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How To Treat Your Dog From Vestibular Disease | Pet Health

Why is my dog wobbling like he's drunk?

Your dog could be suffering from a sensory dysfunction called Ataxia that results in a loss of coordination in the head, limbs, or rear end. There are three kinds of ataxia seen commonly in dogs: cerebellar, sensory and vestibular. Cerebellar ataxia occurs when the cerebellum is damaged.
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What are the signs of a stroke in a dog?

Stroke signs in dogs may include sudden loss of balance or coordination, head tilting or compulsively walking in circles, abnormal eye movements, weakness or paralysis on one side of the body, difficulty walking or standing, loss of bladder or bowel control, confusion or disorientation, seizures, and abrupt changes in ...
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When should I be concerned about my dog being lethargic?

If there is no improvement after 24 hours, your dog should see the vet for a full physical exam and bloodwork. Alternatively, if lethargy is persistent and accompanied by other symptoms like vomiting, you should find out what's causing it because something is wrong, Dr. Attas says.
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Why is my dog lethargic and stumbling?

The most common causes of lethargy in dogs are: Infection, including parvovirus, distemper, kennel cough and leptospirosis. Metabolic diseases, such as heart problems, liver problems, diabetes, and hypoglycaemia. Medications, such as newly prescribed drugs or a new flea or worm product.
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What does congestive heart failure look like in dogs?

The most common clinical sign of CHF is persistent coughing accompanied by difficulty breathing. This is due mainly to pulmonary edema or the accumulation of fluid in the lungs. Many dogs with CHF will tire out more easily, have reduced stamina, and do not engage in playing or walking as they once did.
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How to treat a lethargic dog at home?

What You Can Do
  1. Observe your dog closely for other signs of illness.
  2. Allow your dog to rest quietly without being disturbed by people or other pets.
  3. Offer your dog some extra tasty canned foods, or add chicken broth or boiled chicken to his/her food, to entice him/her to eat more.
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Is my dog sick or just tired?

If your dog seems unusually tired or sluggish, it could be a sign that something is wrong. If your dog is much slower to react, not as playful, or simply much lazier than normal than they usually might be, It's best to take your dog to the veterinarian for a thorough examination.
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What does it mean when your dog is staggering?

Should your dog be staggering, he may appear as if he is drunk. You may observe him appearing uncoordinated, having difficulty walking straight, and falling down on occasion. Staggering is often the result of vestibular disease, which impacts the balance systems of your dog's body.
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Why is my dog off balance and lethargic?

Injury, stroke, poisoning, and infections can all cause your dog to lose its balance. Because these things can be dangerous or even life-threatening, call your vet immediately if your dog is falling down.
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How to tell if your dog is unwell?

Is My Dog Ill? Unusual Symptoms to Watch Out For
  1. General lethargy, depression, listlessness and sleeping more.
  2. Reduction in appetite or complete refusal to eat.
  3. Increase in appetite.
  4. Weight loss.
  5. Vomiting.
  6. Diarrhoea.
  7. Progressive weight gain.
  8. Excessive thirst or urination.
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Why is my dog shaky and wobbly?

Some of the most common reasons for your dog's shaking & shivering are cold, excitement, stress & anxiety, seeking attention, pain or illness, and old age. It's important to recognize the difference between normal shaking vs. signs of a seizure.
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Why is my dog suddenly lethargic and wobbly?

Lethargy can also be a sign of infections, chronic pain or even life-threatening diseases. Several infections, such as parvovirus2, kennel cough3 and heartworm disease4, will make your dog appear very tired. Heart problems, liver problems and diabetes can also leave your dog weak and lethargic.
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Why is my dog walking funny and lethargic?

Some common causes of lethargy in dogs include illness, infection, inflammation, injury, medication, and underlying medical conditions such as diabetes or kidney disease. Other possible causes of lethargy in dogs include lack of exercise, stress, anxiety, and dietary imbalances.
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Why is my dog acting drunk and wobbly suddenly?

If your dog is staggering, stumbling, or falling over, it could be the result of a number of medical issues, including injury, stroke, poisoning, or an infection.
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Why is my dog acting lethargic but eating and drinking?

This could be due to a variety of reasons, including arthritis, dental issues, or internal injuries. Even if your dog is still eating and drinking, it's essential to monitor their behavior closely and consult with your veterinarian if you suspect they're in pain.
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What is the first signs of parvo in a dog?

It is important to note that many dogs may not show every clinical sign, but vomiting and diarrhea are the most common and consistent signs; vomiting usually begins first. Parvo may affect dogs of all ages but is most common in unvaccinated dogs less than one year of age.
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Why is my dog having trouble standing and walking all of a sudden?

Sudden onset of collapse can be secondary to a variety of disorders including spinal cord injury, orthopedic disease, or systemic illness. This sudden hind-leg weakness may be a sign of a disease that requires prompt attention from your regular veterinarian. Or even a trip to the emergency room.
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What do dogs' eyes look like when they have a stroke?

Strabismus, or abnormal eye positioning, is another clue. One eye might wander as the other stays still, or the eyes may seem to focus on two different spots. These eye movements mean you should seek a vet's help right away. This is a commonly-missed sign of stroke, because your dog might just seem tired.
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Why is my dog suddenly weak in hind legs?

Some of the most common causes of both sudden hind leg weakness in dogs and gradual onset hind leg weakness include: Aging and degenerative conditions such as osteoarthritis or degenerative myelopathy. Trauma or injury affecting the spine, hips, or hind legs.
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How do you tell if a dog had a stroke or vestibular disease?

With the latter, especially, a dog may leap after a tennis ball, yelp with pain and immediately have difficulty walking. This can occur in dogs of all ages. Signs of a stroke can be subtle but may also include head tilt, circling, weakness, paralysis of one or more limbs, loss of urine or bowel control and collapse.
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