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My puppy is lethargic, not eating, and dehydrated. Is it serious?

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Male | unneutered | 3 months and 3 days old

My puppy is laying around and aint acting his self he had diherraha once and since only used the bathroom once he is not eating or drinking and seems to be really dehydrated

4 Answers

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Dr. Strydom, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on January 28th, 2018

Grundy really needs to see a vet. I would be worried that he may be showing early signs of Parvo virus. He may also be sick from intestinal parasites. If he is dehydrated to the point that you can tell, he needs to get parental fluids from the vet (either in the vein or under his skin). You will never get enough fluids in him orally (by mouth) to rehydrate him. He will only get worse from here. Please get him to a vet for an exam ASAP. This could be serious and life-threatening.

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Other Answers

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    Answered By Dr. B. DVM, DACVIM (Oncology)

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 7th, 2018

    These are certainly concerning symptoms in a pup so young. Diarrhea in puppies can be related to many things; some less concerning like intestinal parasites, and others more concerning like parvovirus infection. With bad diarrhea dehydration can occur pretty rapidly which can also contribute weight loss (in addition to not eating). I think your pup needs to be seen by a vet as soon as possible to figure out what is causing these symptoms and to get him feeling better as soon as possible. I hope this helps and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach!

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    Answered By Jeffrey Milner

    Veterinarian

    Published on April 30th, 2017

    Sorry to hear that Ziggy isn't feeling so great. Some of the more common causes of diarrhea in puppies include intestinal parasites like roundworms, hook worms, and tape worms, viral and bacterial infections (parvo included), general inflammatory conditions of the bowels, dietary indiscretion, and less commonly, stress related colitis. While it certainly could be parvo, the first thing I would want to rule out are those parasites I mentioned. You should bring a fecal into your vet to have them look on a microscope and see if they can identify a significant number within the sample. I would also consider taking Ziggy's temperature at home to see if it is elevated. Any temperature above 102.5-103 should be considered a fever and would certainly warrant attention. If Ziggy is not yet fully vaccinated, I would be somewhat concerned and would recommend having him looked at by your doctor soon. Normally, with an adult dog, I might recommend fasting then feeding a bland diet for a few days. I usually don't say this with puppies and insist on checking the problem out up close. If you decide to go to the vet, I would describe to him in detail what is going on over the telephone. If they suspect Parvo, they may ask you and your puppy to wait in the car until they get an area isolated.

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    Answered By Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS

    Veterinarian

    Published on July 14th, 2017

    It is concerning that Smiley isn't eating regularly, especially since he is a puppy and has diarrhea. He could be sick, and may be suffering from a severe GI illness, may have eaten something rotten, could have a foreign body, intestinal parasites, or could have parvovirus if he isn't fully vaccinated. I would have him seen by a vet right away since he has been sick for longer than 24 hours. The vet can diagnose what is causing his symptoms so he can be treated. Please take Smiley into a vet now.

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