My dog won't eat, is tired, and seems feverish. What should I do?
Updated On September 23rd, 2025
My dog is not eating anything.I think he has fever.Yesterday he eats some biscuits and drink some milk,But today he only drinks water.He feels tired and not interset in anything.His nose always swelling a lottle bit,What to do.Pls Help
2 Answers
Most Helpful Answer
Published on June 8th, 2018
Hi and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. I recommend that you take your dog to see a veterinarian. It sounds like he needs immediate care if he is not eating, he is lethargic and may have a fever. This sounds like a serious condition that needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. Your veterinarian will perform a full physical exam and determine what additional testing may need to be done (xrays, bloodwork) to give you a better idea of what treatments are needed. Good luck.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Related Answers from Veterinarians
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Published on June 19th, 2017
Hi there, he could be suffering a bit because of the heat making him lethargic. However, this could be an indication he has an underlying condition. If he continues to be dull and not eat I woukd visit the vet for a thorough exam and possibly blood tests.
1Pet Parents found this answer helpful
Health & Wellbeing
how can i tell if my dog has a fever without a thermomenter? what do i do if i think he has one? would like to wait til morning to see a vet and not go to dog hospital but would. dog is lethargic, taking the hair off his tail, staring into space, not
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! There is no way to know if there is a fever without a thermometer. Based on what you are describing, it sounds like he is quite sick. He should ideally be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible. If you are unable to have him evaluated tonight, make sure to do so as soon as possible tomorrow. A fever could be due to many reasons like pancreatitis, an infection, among many other possibilities. Treatment would be based on findings but at the very least they can start him on fluids which can help with a fever. If possible, have him evaluated tonight so that they can start looking for possible reasons to explain his symptoms but most importantly, so that therapy can be initiated. I really hope he recovers well. Good luck and have a good night!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Food & Nutrition
My dog havé no energy today. 39.4rectal température 24 breath minutes hé star on the couch hé dont touch hes meal but hé drink à little bit
Poor Cobalt! It sounds like he is lethargic, and he does have a slight fever. Unfortunately these are very general signs of illness, and could be caused by systemic illness, infection, or inflammation. I would keep an eye on him for now, and if the fever goes above 39.5, he stops eating, he continues to be lethargic, or he develops other signs such as vomiting, take him into a vet immediately. I hope this helps!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog Tom is not feeling well, he is very lethargic, not eating or drinking and is overall miserable any ideas how to help?
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! These clinical signs can sometimes be observed in patients with gastrointestinal conditions such as gastroenteritis, infections, inflammatory bowel disease, dietary indiscretion, among others. I recommend that you have Tom evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible for further assessment and treatment. They may recommend abdominal imaging and bloodwork to try to investigate the issue. Good luck! I hope he gets better soon! In the meantime, keep water available at all times to try to prevent dehydration.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My Bichon Frise (almost 5 years old) is warm and subdued. Won't take a treat or drink water. It is now 1:15 p.m. and at 9:30 a.m. I took her for a walk and she did pee and have a bowel movement. No diarrhea. She just wants to lay around - even a
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Poor Mags! Can you take her temperature rectally? Anything 103 F or higher is a fever. Causes of a fever are: Lyme disease, immune conditions, infection (urinary, joint, lung) or pending GI upset. If she isn't better by the morning she should be seen by your Vet. I wish you the best!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
I have taken temperature of my gsd ...it is 103.5° Fahrenheit...is this is a fever???..he is not eating food. .
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! If you are taking this temperature when he is calm then yes this would classify as a fever. Since he is not eating this is certainly serious and something that warrants an evaluation. There are several reasons for a fever and your veterinarian would be able to point you out in the right direction with further information gathered with more history and physical examination findings. Good luck! All the best to him!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My 4 yr old Stratfordshire Terrier is withdrawn, lethargic and very warm. We do have guests staying here with their dog but I think it's more than changes in the home with her being warm. Should I give it a day or take her to ER. I can't afford ER b
Hi there! Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Lethargy, changes in behavior and possible fever are usually signs of something concerning going on such as systemic infections, pancreatitis, immune-mediated conditions, among many other conditions. If she is otherwise eating and drinking well and she was doing perfectly fine before your guests arrive, it may be something transient. However, given that she is acting so abnormally and there is concern for a possible fever, I recommend that you check her temperature rectally when she is calm. You can use a regular thermometer from your local pharmacy or you may already have it at home. If her temperature is more than 102.5F, have her evaluated right away as that could be something serious. If normal (99.5-102.5F) and really was fine before your guests arrived, and she is otherwise doing fine with normal appetite and water intake, you can continue to monitor her for another 24 hours and if not improved then have her examined. On the other hand, i
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Yesterday morning he had a bath and today moening when we woke up i saw him not playing that much and eating dog biscuits less amd only little active so i take temperature from his anus and it comes 104.9 so wjat is it exactly some serious diseases o
A fever this high is usually indicative of a bacterial or viral disease going on. Your veterinarian will need to run some tests to try and determine the cause of the fever. Once the cause is identified the proper antibiotics, antifungals, or antipruritic drugs can be prescribed. The tablet given to your dog is basically a fever reducer but will not treat the cause of the fever. I would recommend taking your dog in for a recheck as soon as you’re able to. The exact cause of the fever cannot be determined without further workup and diagnostics. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Boop by Petco. Best of luck.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
Hello, dog fine last night and this morning very lethargic and sleepy in basket, hasn`t eaten but has had a drink and been sick with phlegm, wonder if yesterday she could have eaten new soil brought into garden?
Hi there and thank you for using Boop by Petco to address your concern. It is possible that Bonnie ate something that caused these symptoms. However, regardless of what caused these symptoms, I would recommend having a veterinarian examine her. She may be dehydrated and in need of fluids, which the veterinarian can evaluate her for. I would also recommend having her blood tested to see if there are any abnormal values that need to be addressed. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns and I would be more than happy to help you further. Please take the time to mark this question as helpful or not as it helps us to improve on the quality of our answers to other pet owners. Thank you kindly!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My pekingnese male which is about ,11 months old does not move much and does vomit every once in a while, he does not eat but does have a drink of water every now and then. Can you please tell me what might be wrong and what I can do to help
Thanks for using Boop by Petco! Loss of appetite, vomiting and lethargy can be observed with many conditions such as gastroenteritis, dietary indiscretion, kidney disease, pancreatitis, among many other possibilities. I recommend that you have Rocco evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for these possibilities and others depending on the findings on exam. Treatment would be based on findings. Good luck and have a great day! Hoping for a speedy recovery!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
Health & Wellbeing
My dog is very warm to touch he has a dry warm nose no worms in his poop he's not eating well
Hi, thanks for using Boop by Petco! Poor Biggie! I don't personally hold much stock in nose dryness/wetness or the temperature of the nose. To know if Biggie has a fever you need to take his temperature rectally with a digital thermometer. A fever in a dog is anything over 102.5 F. There are many causes for a poor appetite: Viral infection, foreign body, fever from infection or inflammation, intestinal parasites (the eggs are microscopic and can not be seen in the stool unless adult worms are passed), pain and many many other causes. Try taking Biggie's temperature. If he has a fever I recommend making an appointment today with your Vet. I hope this helps and I wish Biggie a speedy recovery!
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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