Your normally excitable and energetic play time companion is suddenly not interested in activity any more. Your older pet is feeling unusually tired, hiding away in corners when they're typically very social. Both are signs of unexplained and unexpected lethargy in your pet that could be hiding a much more serious problem if your pet does not visit an urgent care facility.
Why is my pet suddenly so tired?
A long day's play and fun with others is a good thing that can cause your pet to be more exhausted than normal. However, there's also several causes of unexplained lethargy to keep an eye out for, including:
Infection - Any kind of infection, such as parvovirus, distemper, kennel cough, leptospirosis, and heartworm disease, has the capacity to make your pet lethargic and tired.
Metabolic or Organic Disease - A wide range of chronic conditions in the body can leave pets weak or lethargic.
Medications - Sometimes, the medications our pets may take to recover from operations or surgery will make them unwilling to play - this is normal. However, if your pet has consumed any medication they shouldn't, or has possible consumed human medication, it's important that you go to your nearest emergency or urgent care veterinarian immediately.
Pain - Injuries will often lead to a tired pet - as their body recovers, it takes more energy away from them. It's important to consider your pet's recovery in your timeline of activity for your pet.
When should I take my lethargic pet to the doctor?
As unexpected lethargic behavior can be a sign of a wide variety of underlying behaviors, it's important you bring your pet to urgent care facilities when you notice a pattern - the causes can range from simple issues, to chronic conditions and life-threatening illnesses.
