Lethargic Puppy

[renae]

Now, in addition to Murphy's apparent fear of being outside, he has become quite lethargic. When we go outside he just lays down and wont move. For the better part of today, he has just slept. Also, he doesn't play. I thought at 12 weeks, he would be quite playful. I understand that they do need/want a lot of sleep, but even when he is awake, he just sits there with not much interest in toys/ball/kids, etc. I have him on medication for an ear infection and also found out that he has giardia. Could those two issues cause him to be lethargic? I'm getting concerned that there may be something else going on. When I called the vet today, he said if Murphy was still like this tomorrow afternoon, to bring him in. Anyone have any thoughts? Thanks!!

[GBK]

I had a good friend who's puppy was just like that and he had worms. I don't remember my boy slowing down at all and he was treated for giardia, but each puppy is different and maybe the medication could be affecting him. That's all I got :) Hope he feels better soon!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

In my motherly opinion - YES both the Giardia and ear infection are making him miserable!- belly AND ear pain!! Poop Pup!! Is Murphy eating and drinking? I would take him back to the vet tomorrow even if he is not feeling any better. Holiday weekend.
Please keep us posted on how he is feeling. My Samantha has had 2 ear infections and she was miserable until the meds really started to take effect.

Did you call the breeder? Giardia is very contagious and she should make sure all other puppy families are made aware as well to treat her own dogs.

[HANNAH 8/2/07 & HONEY 7/2/08]

Giardia is a parasite living inside your dog and can cause vomiting, loss of interest in food, fevers, and diarrhea. Compound that with an ear infection and I think those are the reasons why your puppy is lethargic. He probably needs all the rest he can get right now. I would keep him calm and resting for about a week and on his Meds (make sure he is getting pleanty of liquids you don't want him to dehydrate, and try and get food into him even if you have boil hamburger and brown rice, or chicken and brown rice), if you don't see any improvements or he is getting worse than I would be rushing him back to your vet.

[Allyson, Peri & Taquito]

He is a sick boy and probably just wants to sleep all day :( Take him in tomorrow no matter what. Like Adrianne said, it is Labor Day weekend and you wouldn't want to have to do the emergency thing on Saturday. Keep us posted.

[renae]

Thank you all for your advice!! He ate a little better today at his mid-day meal because I added some chopped hot dog to it. He is drinking really well....actually seems to be very, very thirsty all the time. His poop is only a little bit loose and there is no (not yet anyway!) vomiting. It's just so sad to see such a sleep/sad pup! I'll take him in tomorrow no matter what - you guys are right about that!!
I notified the breeder as soon as I found out what he had.
Thank you thank you thank you! I'm so happy I found this site!

[win whittingham]

Hi my name is Win i live in somerset england my golden retriver was very much like your pup the vets thought that it might be a condition called Cussions ( may not be the correct way of spelling it ) i am not saying as your pup might have this but maybe you can find out more information about it on the net hope everything goes well with the little one i will be thinking of you if you let me know by email i would be very greatful hope this has been of help to you.
Best Wishess win

[renae]

Murphy Update: Hello all! I'm so happy to report that Murphy seems to be doing better. Yesterday, he was acting much more like a puppy - bouncing and jumping and doing a lot more exploring - I am thinking that the medications have finally kicked in and he is feeling better. He didn't sleep much yesterday which was a huge change from the day before. I've been in contact with my Vet several times but at this point, I think we are well on our way. He still hates to go for a walk which is making house training challenging (I bring him to the 'potty spot' and he just lays down!) but that is the least of my concerns right now. Thank you all for your help and support!!

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

My dogs both picked up giardia at the dog park. The year old dog had no symptoms except the awful runny poop. My younger puppy 5 months (20 weeks) was extremely quiet and lethargic for at least three months. Because there were two of them, even though I chloroxed the dog run everyday it took a good 6- 8 weeks for them to both test clean. After that it was still a while before the puppy was up to full speed. Ask your vet about extra food and the possibility that the ear infection medication is also bothering him. Hang in there, he will get better, but it is very worrisome to see a puppy so quiet. My younger one is now 16 months, very healthy and full of the devil.