I have a beagle who has had a litter of five. We gave two away today. The other four puppies (out of the five) have always been rambunctious and playful but this one has always been sleepy all the time and doesn't like to move about. They are all about 8-9 weeks old. I'm wondering if because they're still young that this is normal that this one puppy doesn't want to play. I've gone on Answers and looked up different things to see what others have to say about other people's questions about sleepy and unplayful puppies but it hasn't quelled my worries that something is wrong with this puppy. It seems to eat well and it DEFINITELY sleeps a lot but it seems to be the only one that sleeps all day. When it isn't sleeping it just lays there and blinks up at me. I try to encourage it to play but it just doesn't seem to want to.
Please Help!
2007-07-07 12:24:37 · 8 answers · asked by Amanda 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
these puppies are mixed. their dad (who my family also owns) is lazy by personality so i wonder if it might be a personality trait inherited from the dad.
2007-07-07 12:25:48 · update #1
it does move and breathe it just doesn't get up and move. it sits and blinks at me. all the runts have been eliminated from the litter as well. the litter originally had 7 and 2 died.
2007-07-07 12:50:38 · update #2
Try asking a vet if it starts to act stranger than that. If I were you I would just leave it alone and give it a little extra attention. Even if it won't play try just petting it. My dog was always just like that from the second he was born. He's extra lazy but he loves being petted more than any normal dog. He's a Australian Shepperd and that breed is supposed to be more active.
2007-07-07 12:50:00 · answer #1 · answered by smartypantsp 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am a breeder, so please take my advice. This is not normal. If every other puppy is playful and this one isn't, there could be a serious genetic problem.
Because you say it doesn't play, sleeps all the time.. it looks like more than personality to me.
If it were me, I would find homes for all of the healthy, playful puppies. I would keep this other puppy until the puppy is 5-6 months old. I would do this because it is a strong possibility that the puppy will not make it and would die around 4-6 months of age. Then I would not be placing it in a home where the family gets very strong bonds to it and then it dies and it is just heartbreaking.
What is wrong with the one puppy? It could be anything and a vet will probably not be able to tell at such a young age. I don't think it is worth putting a ton of money into testing either, because experience shows that genetic problems can't be cured, maybe treated, but the puppy is young, so please keep the puppy and love him up and treat him like normal. If you hit the 6 or 7 month and the puppy is still alive but not acting right, then I would get into the testing with the vet. Most puppies with life threatening genetic problems will die by 6 months old. It would be possible if the puppy makes it past that, then you may be able to get a diagnosis and a treatment that will give the puppy a good quality of life.
When we have puppies, we think they will all be healthy and happy, playful, affectionate. The truth is, in a litter, there is often one that isn't right. It varies a lot with different breeds, but it can happen. The best thing to do is keep him for now and love him. If he makes it to a bit older, then work with your vet. If he doesn't, then it wasn't meant to be.
I wish you the best of luck with him.
2007-07-07 12:37:50 · answer #2 · answered by dog's best friend 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
It could be that everything is OK and the pup will come around somewhat. Even with a lazy dad, the pup should want to play a bit until he matures to a lazy nature.
The fact that you are concerned enough to read up and ask the question points me to believe there is an actual problem. My first thought is worms, and a good worm medication would bring the lump to life. Second thought is something more serious, but the fact the puppy has lived this long and eats well leads me to think it is nothing more serious. A vet could certainly settle the question and provide the correct wormer. A vet visit is my best advice.
Hope this helps.
2007-07-07 13:12:41 · answer #3 · answered by Poetic 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First rule out illness. Make sure the pup isn't deaf or blind.
Then, stop worrying. I have fostered many litters of puppies, and there is occasionally one that doesn't play as much as the others. Every puppy has a unique personality. Some don't want to play with the other pups, they want to be left alone with toys; some don't seem interested in anything. I wouldn't call laying around all day exactly normal, but it's not unusual (I have had some very sleepy puppies)
2007-07-07 12:32:06 · answer #4 · answered by lei 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take the puppy to the vet to rule out medical reasons before just putting it down to laziness. He may have a heart problem, or any other of a number of things. Many of these illnesses can be treated by your vet.
2007-07-07 12:30:58 · answer #5 · answered by bronte heights 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Have vet check puppy.
2007-07-07 12:29:06 · answer #6 · answered by ARLENE H 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
its most proberly dead
2007-07-07 12:41:29 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it was gay with another dog that has left it and now it is depressed
2007-07-07 12:27:29 · answer #8 · answered by rydude1232 1 · 0⤊ 8⤋