The state of health of a pet can be judged by its external signs, by its behavior and by the way it eats with what appetite. If the dog has become lethargic, as a rule, at the same time as this symptom, it also has a loss of interest in food. In the case when this happens, there can be several reasons, and from the most harmless to those that are fraught with serious consequences.
Lethargy with a simultaneous lack of appetite can serve as signs of illness in many living things, including a dog. But you can observe these symptoms in a healthy animal, if, for example, the dog has walked for a long time and ran a lot in hot weather, and bitches are characterized by a decrease in appetite and some lethargy during estrus.
But there are more dangerous reasons why a dog may become less active, so it is imperative to monitor the animal's behavior and pay attention to changes in its eating habits. So, in the spring, multiple tick bites can cause such a dangerous disease as piroplasmosis. It is characterized by rapid destruction of the liver, so in these cases, delay is indeed like death. When the dog becomes lethargic, refuses to eat, and the color of the urine begins to darken, you should immediately take it to the veterinarian. One of the characteristic signs of piroplasmosis is a high temperature - above 40 ° C, in dogs it is measured rectally. Ticks are especially dangerous in late spring and late summer and early autumn.
Another dangerous disease is the plague. From the first days, the animal becomes lethargic, as the temperature rises to 40 ° C and above. The nervous system may be affected, or the disease may affect the gastrointestinal tract. From time to time, the dog's body is cramped, catarrh of the upper respiratory tract may begin, in which fluid is constantly secreted from the nose, causing the dog anxiety - it begins to scratch its nose with its paws.
Lethargy can be caused by stomatitis or other gum infections. Its characteristic features are sores, small abscesses and red spots in the dog's mouth and gums. Ear infections, which are accompanied by foul-smelling discharge, also give the dog unpleasant sensations and it becomes lethargic, and loses the desire to play and run. Such infections are also dangerous because, unknowingly, you can grab the dog by the sore ear and cause an involuntary aggressive reaction in it. Therefore, pay attention if the dog begins to shake its head, tilts it to one side or the other, whines if it touches the ears.
Ear infections can be signs of allergies caused by food sensitivity or atopic dermatitis. In this case, the dog should be transferred to a special hypoallergenic food and consult a veterinarian who will select a diet for her. However, in all these cases, one should not self-medicate, but show the animal to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
