Fatigue

What is fatigue?

Fatigue means that your dog has less energy and zest for life than usual. He sleeps more than usual, shows little interest in activities or games, and reacts sluggishly to stimuli. Fatigue is not a disease in its own right, but a symptom of an underlying condition.

What symptoms can indicate fatigue?

In addition to decreased activity, other symptoms may indicate fatigue. For example

• Fever
• Loss of appetite
• Weight loss
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Cough or difficulty breathing
• Itching or skin changes
• pain or lameness
• enlargement of the lymph nodes or spleen
• Bleeding from the skin or mucous membranes

What can cause fatigue?

Fatigue can have many different causes. Some of them include:

• Infections: Bacteria, viruses or parasites can make your dog sick and cause fever, inflammation or anemia. One example is ehrlichiosis, a tick-borne disease.
• Metabolic disorders: Diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism or kidney failure can affect your dog's metabolism and cause fatigue, thirst or weight changes.
• Cancer: tumors can weaken the immune system and cause weight loss, bleeding or organ failure.
• Age: Older dogs often become quieter and sleep more than young dogs. This is normal and nothing to worry about.

What can you do if your dog is fatigued?

If your dog is fatigued, you should take him to the vet. The vet can determine the exact cause and initiate appropriate treatment. Depending on the condition, this may include antibiotics, hormones or chemotherapy.

You can also support your dog by giving him plenty of rest and offering him high-quality food. Make sure he always has fresh water available and avoid stressful situations for him.