Why is my dog lethargic?

Question

For the last two weeks my dog has been really lethargic off and on. He has only vomited about three times in the last two weeks, once was because he was choking on his water =/ He is eating, drinking, his poop is normal looking, no blood from either end. He sleeps (too much) and will go for a walk if I take him. However, he is soooo lethargic and looks weak in his eyes. He is also prone to bouts of shivering. Not to mention he is OVERLY cuddly, he is normally cuddly, but has been wanting to live on my head so to speak. All of the "emergency" signs are not there so I have not taken him to the vet yet. I can't afford it if he does not need to go. I am, however, worried. Has anyone had this happen with their dog(s) before? Any insight or ideas or information would be GREATLY appriciated! Thank you:)

He is 3 years old

He is a shitzu/tibetian spanial mix

He also had little itchy bumps on his skin (nothing new, vet has seen that before and thinks it is an allergic reaction). Bumps are gone but he is now lethargic and blah.

I WILL take him to a vet, however, the vets always tell me I worry too much and to not bother unless he is showing signs of "true illness" whatever that means. I am frustrated with vets, and thought I would seek the general help of real people. I know you can't diagnose my dog, I am just looking for ideas and feedback.

Answer 1

It is common for a dog to throw up its water on occasion if they drink too much too fast. When he shivers is it after he drinks????? If so warm the water, the water is making him cold. Some dogs shiver for no apparent reason, shitzus, chihuahas, are very known for this.

The vomiting may be due to a sensitive stomach, food allergy or an internal organ problem such as kidney or liver disease. I would recommend having some blood tests run to rule out liver and kidney disease.

In the meantime, FAST her for 24 hours...provide fresh water only. Then re-introduce a bland diet of boiled chicken OR burger with rice--NO regular dog food, treats or scraps. If she does not vomit while on this BLAND diet, then I would recommend trying a diet for sensitive stomachs.give her yogurt on a daily basis as well as adding digestive enzymes into her food such as PROZYME.

Food allergies will sometimes make them sick, and usually what causes allergies to the food is corn.

try what i mentioned above first and see if this makes the dog change in actions.

good dog foods are not sold at your vets or grocery stores,

Innova, canidae, solid gold, california natural, are all good foods.
Science diet recommended by vet is not a good food either,

How to grade your dog's food: Start with a grade of 100:
1) For every listing of "by-product" , subtract 10 points
2) For every non-specific animal source ("meat" or "poultry", meat, meal or
fat) reference, subtract 10 points
3) If the food contains BHA, BHT, or ethoxyquin, subtract 10 points
4) For every grain "mill run" or non-specific grain source, subtract 5 points
5) If the same grain ingredient is used 2 or more times in the first five ingredients (I.e. "ground brown rice", "brewers rice", "rice flour" are all the same grain), subtract 5 points
6) If the protein sources are not meat meal and there are less than 2 meats in the top 3 ingredients, subtract 3 points
7) If it contains any artificial colorants, subtract 3 points
8 ) If it contains ground corn or whole grain corn, subtract 3points
9) If corn is listed in the top 5 ingredients, subtract 2 more points
10) If the food contains any animal fat other than fish oil, subtract 2 points
11) If lamb is the only animal protein source (unless your dog is allergic to other protein sources), subtract 2 points
12) If it contains soy or soybeans, subtract 2 points
13) If it contains wheat (unless you know that your dog is not allergic to wheat), subtract 2 points
14) If it contains beef (unless you know that your dog is not allergic to beef), subtract 1 point
15) If it contains salt, subtract 1 point>
Extra Credit:
1) If any of the meat sources are organic, add 5 points
2) If the food is endorsed by any major breed group or nutritionist, add 5 points
3) If the food is baked not extruded, add 5 points
4) If the food contains probiotics, add 3 points
5) If the food contains fruit, add 3 points
6) If the food contains vegetables (NOT corn or other grains), add 3 points
7) If the animal sources are hormone-free and antibiotic-free, add 2 points
8 ) If the food contains barley, add 2 points
9) If the food contains flax seed oil (not just the seeds), add 2 points
10) If the food contains oats or oatmeal, add 1 point
11) If the food contains sunflower oil, add 1 point
12) For every different specific animal protein source (other than the first one; count "chicken" and "chicken meal" as only one protein source, but "chicken" and "" as 2 different sources), add 1 point
13) If it contains glucosamine and chondroitin, add 1 point
14) If the vegetables have been tested for pesticides and are pesticide-free, add 1 point

Score:
94-100+ = A 86-93 = B 78-85 = C 70-77 = D 69 and below = F>
Here are some foods that have already been scored.

Dog Food scores:
Authority Harvest Baked / Score 116 A+
Bil-Jac Select / Score 68 F
Canidae / Score 112 A+
Chicken Soup Senior / Score 115 A+
Diamond Maintenance / Score 64 F
Diamond Lamb Meal & Rice / Score 92 B
Diamond Large Breed 60+ Formula / Score 99 A
Dick Van Patten's Natural Balance Ultra Premium / Score 122 A+
Dick Van Patten's Duck and Potato / Score 106 A+
Foundations / Score 106 A+
Hund-n-Flocken Adult Dog (lamb) by Solid Gold / Score 93 B
Iams Lamb Meal & Rice Formula Premium / Score 73 D
Innova Dog / Score 114 A+
Innova Evo / Score 114 A+
Kirkland Signature Chicken, Rice, and Vegetables / Score 110 A+
Nutrisource Lamb and Rice / Score 87 B
Nutro Natural Choice Large Breed Puppy / Score 87 B
Pet Gold Adult with Lamb & Rice / Score 23 F
ProPlan Natural Turkey & Barley / Score 103 A+
Purina Beneful / Score 17 F
Purina Dog / Score 62 F
Purina Come-n-Get It / Score 16 F
Royal Canin Bulldog / Score 100 A+
Royal Canin Natural Blend Adult / Score 106 A+
Sensible Choice Chicken and Rice / Score 97 A
Science Diet Advanced Protein Senior 7+ / Score 63 F
Science Diet for Large Breed Puppies / Score 69 F
Wellness Super5 Mix Chicken / Score 110 A+
Wolfking Adult Dog (bison) by Solid Gold / Score 97 A

Answer 2

The problem is that the dog must have ate something. Dogs usually chew on anything unusual when they are introduced to a new place (is dog new at ur place btw?). Make sure there are plenty of toys around if your out of the house and make sure the food your giving him are right for his breed and all.
My dog did the same thing for the first few week and i found out that he was chewing some stuff and also the food he's eating was not digesting well because its too hard for his stomach. Chances is that its not too crucial for you to worry.
Sleeping too much is an indication that your dog is clearly bored or fatigued. If you let him sleep with you then it is most certainly that he is woken up too often. Make him a nice bed to sleep in during the night and put a fence so he can be trained to sleep by himself. He'll cry for a few days but he'll get use to it because in the long run you want him to be happy by himself and not just when ur around. Thats the best i can do for you based on the same experience i went thru. But then mine's an abuse case. He was badly abused as a kid.

Answer 3

You may want to call the Vet and just discuss the symptoms in case there is a serious disease going around your city. Always ask the Vet for a payment plan before the dog is seen. I have never been turned down by a vet. My dog had surgery yesterday and our Vet discounted it to under 50%. So give them a call. Best of luck to you and your dog!

Answer 4

i would really consider taking him to the vet don't believe any warning signs that you hear about not every dog is the same. ultimately you know you pet better than anybody if you feel something is wrong take action.

Answer 5

hmmm........... your dog sounds like he may have a virus. if his eyes look weak, something is very wrong. is he getting exercise? dogs tend to get very lazy. also is he getting sleep?many pups need sleep and they are easily distracted at night. maybe you should take him to a vet.

Answer 6

He sounds really sick. How can you not have taken him to the vet after he vomited? You need to get him seen to. Nobody on here is going to be able to help - get him to the vet ASAP.

Answer 7

What kind of dog do you have and how old? This may help me with your question.

Answer 8

how old is this dog ,sounds as if he is very old.
take him to the vet if he is not ,
a dog can think himself to death if he feels bad