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Puppy warm, drowsy, shaking, no appetite. Is it dehydration or fever?

Updated on September 23, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | American Staffordshire Terrier | Male | neutered | 3 months and 5 days old | 14 lbs

My puppy feels warmer than usual, hasn’t had much of an appetite since this afternoon, and is very drowsy. He is shaking, almost like he is shivering, in his sleep. We tried to give him some Benadryl, but he refused it. We tried to coax him with peanut butter, and he refused that as well. We took him for a longer walk today, so I’m fearing he might be dehydrated.

1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

Daniel Fonza, DVM

Answered By Daniel Fonza, DVM

Veterinarian

Published on May 19, 2018

Hi there and thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach to address your concern. Based on your description, I would recommend having Deku examined by a veterinarian so that the most appropriate diagnostic and treatment recommendations can be made. He may certainly be dehydrated and may have an infection that he is fighting. The sooner he is seen the better. I hope this helps guide you in the right direction and that Deku feels better soon! Please let me know if you have any further 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!
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