Hi,

I have an australian shepherd (4 years old) who sleeps all the
time. This didn't bother me since he used to get these sudden bursts of
energy and run around and play. He still loves running around
outside.

He is moderately trained - sit, down, heel, fetch etc. But for the
past few days, he won't run around at home; and when I say fetch he just
goes away and lies down somewhere, he still gets excited when we come
home, will follow us around the house etc. But he'll go lie down again
if we try to get him to play.

All his shots are current and just two weeks ago, the vet said he is
in great shape.

Any suggestions?

--
pyr

Thanks for your response, Marshall.

His eating habits and bowel movements are completely normal and
haven't changed.

The vet didn't run any blood tests.

My problem is I can't get my dog to get up and play. when I ask him to
fetch, he just sits and stares. He just responds to come, sit and
down. About a week ago he used to run around and loved playing fetch
even in the house.

(Marshall Dermer) writes:

In article pyr writes:

Dear pyr,

I understand your concern. How about his eating and bowel movements?

Did the veterinarian run blood tests?

My MD has told me that being tired all the time is a serious symptom
in humans.

--Marshall

--
pyr

Thanks for your response, Marshall.

His eating habits and bowel movements are completely normal and
haven't changed.

The vet didn't run any blood tests.

My problem is I can't get my dog to get up and play. when I ask him to
fetch, he just sits and stares. He just responds to come, sit and
down. About a week ago he used to run around and loved playing fetch
even in the house.

(Marshall Dermer) writes:

In article pyr writes:

Dear pyr,

I understand your concern. How about his eating and bowel movements?

Did the veterinarian run blood tests?

My MD has told me that being tired all the time is a serious symptom
in humans.

--Marshall

--
pyr

I didn't see your previous post but from reading this one I would say please
please get some blood tests done, don't hesitate. Your vet can tell a lot
from blood tests.

Shell

"pyr" wrote in message
...

Thanks for your response, Marshall.

His eating habits and bowel movements are completely normal and
haven't changed.

The vet didn't run any blood tests.

My problem is I can't get my dog to get up and play. when I ask him to
fetch, he just sits and stares. He just responds to come, sit and
down. About a week ago he used to run around and loved playing fetch
even in the house.

(Marshall Dermer) writes:

In article pyr
writes:

Dear pyr,

I understand your concern. How about his eating and bowel movements?

Did the veterinarian run blood tests?

My MD has told me that being tired all the time is a serious symptom
in humans.

--Marshall

--
pyr

I didn't see your previous post but from reading this one I would say please
please get some blood tests done, don't hesitate. Your vet can tell a lot
from blood tests.

Shell

"pyr" wrote in message
...

Thanks for your response, Marshall.

His eating habits and bowel movements are completely normal and
haven't changed.

The vet didn't run any blood tests.

My problem is I can't get my dog to get up and play. when I ask him to
fetch, he just sits and stares. He just responds to come, sit and
down. About a week ago he used to run around and loved playing fetch
even in the house.

(Marshall Dermer) writes:

In article pyr
writes:

Dear pyr,

I understand your concern. How about his eating and bowel movements?

Did the veterinarian run blood tests?

My MD has told me that being tired all the time is a serious symptom
in humans.

--Marshall

--
pyr

"Deb" wrote in message
...
.. Any changes in behavior, especially lethargy, should be met with a
blood count, metabolic panel and urine/feces to start. I would insist on
it and
am surprised that your vet did not.

...........I might be looking for a new vet to run that bloodwork. Did the
vet even suggest this? I know that some have the philosophy that if the dog
doesn't really look sick it's not needed, but quite frankly I don't agree
with this. As Deb said, get the whole shebang done. While bloodwork is
only a snapshot in time and can't always tell you everything, it's still a
lot better than just looking at the outside of a dog and pronouncing them
fit. It's good to have baseline bloodwork anyway.

buglady
take out the dog before replying

"Deb" wrote in message
...
.. Any changes in behavior, especially lethargy, should be met with a
blood count, metabolic panel and urine/feces to start. I would insist on
it and
am surprised that your vet did not.

...........I might be looking for a new vet to run that bloodwork. Did the
vet even suggest this? I know that some have the philosophy that if the dog
doesn't really look sick it's not needed, but quite frankly I don't agree
with this. As Deb said, get the whole shebang done. While bloodwork is
only a snapshot in time and can't always tell you everything, it's still a
lot better than just looking at the outside of a dog and pronouncing them
fit. It's good to have baseline bloodwork anyway.

buglady
take out the dog before replying

How's his appetite? Are his potty habits the same?

Is it very hot where you live? Is he laying down on a cool surface
(tile or hard floor) or near an air conditioning vent?

Do you take him out on walks and does he enjoy that?

Dog's do, by nature, sleep a lot (I've read that sleep time can be
upwards of 16 hrs. a day, depending). I notice my dog is much less
active in the hot summer months and our time outside is limited to early
morning and evenings when the temps finally start to dip down. In the
house she likes to locate herself in cooler spots and sleep. The
bathroom is her favorite as she likes the floor and laying up against
the tub.

If your dog is eating well, eliminating well, has normal stools and your
vet says he's healthy, then see if you can create some special play time
outside where there's a variety of things for him to see/smell.



pyr wrote:

Hi,

I have an australian shepherd (4 years old) who sleeps all the
time. This didn't bother me since he used to get these sudden bursts of
energy and run around and play. He still loves running around
outside.

He is moderately trained - sit, down, heel, fetch etc. But for the
past few days, he won't run around at home; and when I say fetch he just
goes away and lies down somewhere, he still gets excited when we come
home, will follow us around the house etc. But he'll go lie down again
if we try to get him to play.

All his shots are current and just two weeks ago, the vet said he is
in great shape.

Any suggestions?

How's his appetite? Are his potty habits the same?

Is it very hot where you live? Is he laying down on a cool surface
(tile or hard floor) or near an air conditioning vent?

Do you take him out on walks and does he enjoy that?

Dog's do, by nature, sleep a lot (I've read that sleep time can be
upwards of 16 hrs. a day, depending). I notice my dog is much less
active in the hot summer months and our time outside is limited to early
morning and evenings when the temps finally start to dip down. In the
house she likes to locate herself in cooler spots and sleep. The
bathroom is her favorite as she likes the floor and laying up against
the tub.

If your dog is eating well, eliminating well, has normal stools and your
vet says he's healthy, then see if you can create some special play time
outside where there's a variety of things for him to see/smell.



pyr wrote:

Hi,

I have an australian shepherd (4 years old) who sleeps all the
time. This didn't bother me since he used to get these sudden bursts of
energy and run around and play. He still loves running around
outside.

He is moderately trained - sit, down, heel, fetch etc. But for the
past few days, he won't run around at home; and when I say fetch he just
goes away and lies down somewhere, he still gets excited when we come
home, will follow us around the house etc. But he'll go lie down again
if we try to get him to play.

All his shots are current and just two weeks ago, the vet said he is
in great shape.

Any suggestions?

Deb wrote:
Absolutely. Any changes in behavior, especially lethargy, should be met with a
blood count, metabolic panel and urine/feces to start. I would insist on it and
am surprised that your vet did not.

I'm not. The OP said that the examination and vaccinations
were two weeks ago, and the lethargy has only been going
on for a few days.

I agree that a vet visit is due now and ASAP.

Dianne