Why is my dog lethargic, not eating, biting, and breathing strangely?

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! I am sorry Layla is not herself! There are many possibilities for the symptoms you are describing: Not eating, panting, lethargic, restless. Some things that could be wrong: she could have a fever, she could be in pain (in her belly), she could be in heart failure, have pneumonia or other lung or heart issue, she could have eaten something that is now stuck in her intestines or stomach, lyme disease, she could be bleeding some where or she could have a metabolic problem like kidney failure, liver disease, etc. The possibilities are long and some are serious. The most serious symptom you are reporting is the trouble breathing, that alone is a reason to take her to your Vet today. I wish you the best of luck!

I'm sorry to hear that Lucky is not feeling well. She appears to be painful in your pictures. She could be experiencing abdominal or even back pain. She will need to see a veterinarian for a thorough examination to determine if she is in fact painful and if so, where she hurts. This will guide treatment for her. In the meantime, continue to offer small amounts of water and food. I hope this information helps!

I'm sorry to hear that Polly isn't feeling well. Vomiting, lethargy, not drinking and a loss of appetite are quite concerning signs, particularly in a puppy since younger animals are more susceptible to the affects of dehydration than adult dogs. Polly may have a significant gastrointestinal virus, a foreign body intestinal obstruction, parvovirus (unlikely if she was fully vaccinated), among others. At this point, the best thing you can do is take Polly to her vet for an exam and diagnostic testing to get to the bottom of the situation. Polly may need to be hospitalized for IV fluids, or even require surgery if she has a foreign body intestinal obstruction. I hope that all goes well!

Unfortunately, [vomiting](https://www.petcoach.co/dog/condition/vomiting-1/), lethargy and increased respiratory rate all have can have [multiple causes](https://www.petcoach.co/article/top-10-warning-signs-that-require-a-veterinary-visit). Some can be serious and others not so serious. She might have eaten something that either disagreed with her or may be causing an [obstruction](https://www.petcoach.co/article/7-things-you-should-know-about-foreign-bodies-in-dogs) somewhere in her gastrointestinal tract. She could be sore from an unknown injury. She could have been exposed to or ingested a[ toxin](https://www.petcoach.co/article/5-cleaning-products-that-are-toxic-to-pets) or irritant in her environment or this could be early signs of another condition or disease process. A complete physical exam by your veterinarian or at the nearest veterinary ER would be recommended if symptoms persist for more than 24 hours. Supportive care (IV or subcutaneous fluids, medication, etc.) may be administered until a diagnosis is reached.[ Your vet](https://www.petcoach.co/article/6-signs-you-should-take-your-dog-to-the-vet-right-away) can perform an exam, blood work and possibly x-rays to determine the cause of the illness and suggest an effective treatment plan.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Pippin. It sounds like he is very sore. He will need to see a veterinarian to determine the source of his pain. It is common for small breed dogs to experience neck or back pain. These dogs will typically pant, shake and be reluctant to move. They can refuse to do stairs or jump on furniture. In severe cases, back pain can lead to weakness or paralysis. He should see his veterinarian soon. I hope this information helps!

I'm sorry to hear that Penelope is so painful! It seems most likely that she caused some degree of back injury or intervertebral disc disease while you were out of the house today. Penelope's panting, lethargy, abnormal gait and refusal to eat or go outside are all signs of pain. It sounds as though she needs to be examined by a vet now. Be sure to mention to the ER or on call vet that aspirin was already given, since there are many pain medications that will interact poorly with aspirin and cause additional problems. I hope that she feels better soon!

If she has pale gums then she needs to be examined by a vet immediately to determine the cause and treat, especially if she also has abnormal breathing. Please call your vet or go to an emergency clinic. She could have an infection, parasite, clotting/bleeding problem, hemolytic anemia, mass, etc. and may need immediate treatment.