Why is my dog gaining weight, tired, and struggling to breathe?

Question

Hiya. My dog has recently put on a lot of weight. We've cut down him food and he's still putting weight on and not losing any. He's a Lhasa apso. He's also always really really tired and cannot/will not move/get up for anyone or anything. He's also now and then having difficulty breathing. He gets outburts of shortness of breath and seems like he's having some sort of an attack. I don't know what's wrong with him. Thanks. Pet's info: Dog | Lhasa Apso | Male | 7 years and 8 months old | 9999 lbs

Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA · Accepted Answer

I would recommend that Rex have a thorough checkup with a vet. Gaining weight and lethargy can be a symptom of hypothyroidism, which can be confirmed easily with a blood test. However, the shortness of breath has me a little concerned that there could be heart or lung disease also at play. Heart disease can cause fluid build-up in the lungs or abdomen, which can easily be confused for weight (fat) gain. After thorough examination, the vet may recommend bloodwork to check for internal medical illness, and x-rays or ultrasound to see what is going on inside the body. After your vet has a better idea of the cause of Rex's symptoms, then an appropriate treatment plan can be discussed.

Why is my dog gaining weight, tired, and struggling to breathe?

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