How to know when to take dog to urgent care

[Anonymous]

3 yo, med-large dog, very lethargic today, didn’t eat breakfast nor has he had any water. Very sleepy, doesn’t seem to want to do anything but lay down and sleep. Bring him to an emergency vet or watch and wait?

[Anonymous]

I'm surprised you haven't gotten feedback but you do know your dog best. trust your gut. could be a fever fighting an infection (even UTI). Reddit sometimes will answer questions like this.

Eating, drinking, playing are the keys to a healthy pup and it doesn't sound like yours is doing any.

[Anonymous]

^maybe he'll eat rice with chicken broth

[Anonymous]

Yes, I would absolutely take him in. Lethargy is a serious symptom, as is refusing water.

Please update us, OP.

[Anonymous]

I have had dogs who were like that after a day or two of intense activity. And sometimes for no particular reason that I could see and next day or many hours later they were their lively selves.

If that's the case, let him sleep. Otherwise call urgent care and ask for their guidance.

[Anonymous]

Do you have a regular vet? At ours we can call with questions, just like you would call the nursing line at your pediatrician.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I would absolutely take him in. Lethargy is a serious symptom, as is refusing water.

Please update us, OP.

+1

[Anonymous]

I always call them to ask before I go in. Sometimes they say monitor a bit longer, sometimes they say yes come in.
But if you feel something is very off with your dog, I'd say just go in to be safe - however, call anyway as ERs are having very long waits these days and even not taking patients, so you may have to call several.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I would absolutely take him in. Lethargy is a serious symptom, as is refusing water.

Please update us, OP.

+1

+2 - At minimum, I would call the vet. Hope everything is ok.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do you have a regular vet? At ours we can call with questions, just like you would call the nursing line at your pediatrician.

This is what I do. The lack of water is what worries me here. Upset stomachs can make them go off food but it’s not too worrisome for a day or so. Hydration is important.

[Anonymous]

We would take our dog in with those symptoms, but every dog's regular behavior is different. Call your vet.

[Anonymous]

My dog is extremely food motivated. If he refused to eat and was lethargic and I didn’t know why, I’d take him in to be seen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I always call them to ask before I go in. Sometimes they say monitor a bit longer, sometimes they say yes come in.
But if you feel something is very off with your dog, I'd say just go in to be safe - however, call anyway as ERs are having very long waits these days and even not taking patients, so you may have to call several.

I should maybe post a new thread on this to share info with the board, but I took my dog into the new ER in the West End (VEG) a few weeks ago and it was wonderful. We were in and out in an hour and a half (he was fine, being dramatic). I would call them, they will evaluate over the phone, and they may not be as swamped as Friendship since they are new. The techs and the Vet were all lovely.

[Anonymous]

Our puppy was acting very similar to yours today and yesterday. Sleepy, uninterested in food and play. We ended up taking him to ER just to be safe (Friendship Animal Hospital) and they were so wonderful and so helpful. Unfortunately, there are some serious issues with his bloodwork, so he was hospitalized.

[Anonymous]

I would take him in.