My 8-month puppy is very exhausted. Is he okay? What should I do?

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Cornelius may be tired from the trip indeed. Other common causes of lethargy in a puppy include fever, ongoing infection, abdominal or musculo-skeletal pain and more. As long as Cornelius had something to eat and drink and is resting comfortably, you should monitor him at home. However, if he is still lethargic tomorrow morning, you should take him to your local vets for an appointment.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This could be due to pain or discomfort as he could have hurt himself. However, it could also be coincidental. If he is otherwise doing well without limping, I think it would be ok to monitor him for now. However, if he develops a limp or any other signs such as crying in pain, inappetence or continued lethargy, have him evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They can check him for any evidence of pain and treat him based on findings. Good luck and have a great day!

From the sign you are describing it is quite difficult to determine the underlying problem. General signs of lethargy could be commonly due to high temperature which may be related to an infection. In puppies gastrointestinal and urinary tract infections are by far the most common type of infections. If the signs do not resolve in the next 24hours or if Luna is showing any inappetence, more evident lethargy or any other signs (vomiting and diarrhoea for example) I would strongly advice a veterinary check up.

Thank you for submitting your question regarding Boy. I recommend that he sees his veterinarian today as I am concerned that he is ill. If he is refusing to eat and is only sleeping, this is worrisome behavior in a puppy. Depending on his exam findings, his veterinarian will direct you as far as necessary diagnostics and treatment options. In the meantime, continue to offer him water to try to prevent dehydration. Do not give any over-the-counter pain medications as these can be toxic to dogs. I hope this information helps!

First of all, Peewee is beyond adorable! Overeating can certainly lead to one episode of vomiting followed by a good nap. If Peewee wakes up from his nap and is acting normally without further vomiting, there is likely no need for concern. However, if he seems uncomfortable, vomits more, or is lethargic, he may need to be evaluated by his vet. Odds are that he will be just fine after a big dinner! :-)

Poor Ted. Good idea to put the cool towel on him. Because he is such a young puppy, any illness should be taken very seriously and require an immediate vet visit. Please take him into an ER vet clinic; if there isn't one in your area, there will be a vet on call for emergencies. The information to reach that vet is found on a clinic's answering machine or website. Best of luck.

Let him rest, make sure he has plenty of fluids, and feed him normally. If he gets worse, not eating or drinking, then please bring him in for treatment right away. He could be dehydrated, just exhausted, or have some muscle or bone pain from the run. Puppies shouldn’t run with their owners until their bones are fully grown, usually about 18 months old, depending on the breed. They can run around plenty on their own, just not a run at a steady pace for miles until they are grown up. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to help you care for puppy.