What is Lethargy?
“Lethargy” in a pet can be a bit subjective from pet owner to pet owner. If your pet is unusually more tired, less energetic, or less active than they normally are, there may be a deeper rooted problem which could be a mild change in their health status, to even more serious illnesses (which are usually paired with other clinical signs). For example: If your usually spry, playful cat spends the entire day hiding, doesn’t come out to eat, and barely responds when you call them, they may be lethargic and a larger issue could be at play.
What Causes Lethargy?
All dependent on the individual’s medical history and any concurrent disease, causes of lethargy can vary from pet to pet, however it’s still worrisome when our pets seem unlike themselves. Understanding the potential reasons for this clinical sign is dependent on diagnostics which can help better guide our medical therapy.
Lethargy in animals can stem from a number of causes, from minor to more serious. Some common causes are listed below:
Infectious Causes
Bacterial, viral, fungal, or even parasitic causes can all be a source of lethargy. All dependent on the individual cause, these infections can cause your pet to feel drained as their immune system fights against these specific causes to try and maintain what “normal” is for your pet. Additionally, these things may cause a fever, inflammation, pain, or other clinical signs such as coughing, vomiting, diarrhea, etc.; all of which can contribute to the overall state of your pet. In many cases, your pet may need medical attention to help diagnose and treat these individual causes.
Pain
If your pet is experiencing any specific pain or discomfort, you may notice they are more tired than usual, or perhaps even other clinical signs such as excessive panting, restlessness, or whining/yelping when manipulated or even at rest. As the body works to constantly cope with discomfort, these may trigger a release of the stress hormone “cortisol” which is essential in normal bodily functions, but in excess, (or in some cases, if there is not enough cortisol to respond appropriately), these can lead to lethargy in your pet.
Systemic Illness
If there is any specific illness causing disarray in the body, this can cause your pet to feel unlike themselves, more withdrawn, or even fatigued. This can be seen with heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, or even in some cases, more than one systemic illness at once. These diagnostics are paramount in narrowing down the differentials and helping to determine the best treatment plan for your pet. While organ failure in many pets can be progressive with no known cure at this time, there may be options available to prolong the quality and quantity of your pets life, all dependent on the individual. This is a conversation that will be held between you and your veterinarian once these diagnostics return, helping to diagnose and determine the extent of disease.
Toxins
If your pet has been exposed to (either through ingestion or inhalation) of a foreign substance that has the potential to be harmful, this can also result in lethargy (all dependent on what the toxin is). A “toxin” is not simply a “poison” that your pet may have been purposefully given with the intent to do harm, but these “toxins” can be found in everyday items such as sugar-free gum, certain plants (e.g. lilies in cats), grapes/raisins, etc. If you believe your pet has ingested something harmful, it is always recommended to reach out to the Pet Poison Hotline or ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center for next steps from the guidance of a veterinary toxicologist. While there is a fee to pay to these hotlines for guidance, it may potentially be life saving advice that you receive from these resources if needed to follow up with a veterinarian.
Cancer
The dreaded diagnosis that is never one that we want to consider or discuss in our beloved pets; Cancer can cause lethargy in pets by taking a toll on their body’s energy, resources, and changing their overall sense of “normal”. Depending on the type of cancer present, these can affect different organ systems like the liver, lymph nodes, lungs, etc. reducing overall energy levels. Likely, this diagnosis is one that needs to be made with advanced imaging such as X-rays, CT Scan, MRI, etc. but bloodwork can also sometimes help to clue us into the fact that something unusual is going on with your pet’s health. If your pet seems unusually tired, a veterinary exam and diagnostics can help determine the cause and treatment options available, even if the help of a veterinary oncologist is needed.
Non-Medical Causes
While the many pets may behave differently than their usual due to a medical issue, there are also other causes which may influence how a pet is presenting. Some examples of this are a loss of a loved one in the household (whether it be human or animal), a new stressor such as a recent move, or even adopting a new pet while your pet has not had the time to acclimate. While many of these issues may take time to resolve on their own, just as if a human being were mourning, or feeling depressed for another reason, it may be worth a conversation with your veterinarian to assure there is no larger issue at play.
Diagnosing the Cause
If your pet is lethargic, it is very likely that your veterinarian will recommend diagnostics to help determine the root of the cause. These may include:
- Bloodwork: This may be used to assess organ function, red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, hydration status, electrolyte abnormalities, and many other things, all dependent on the panel your veterinarian’s office is able to run.
- X-rays: This imaging modality is oftentimes used to take an image of the inside of your pet. While your veterinarian can perform a physical exam and attempt to feel organs, this is not a perfect diagnostic, especially if your pet is nervous and very tense, painful, or if there are smaller changes which cannot be felt on palpation.
- Abdominal Ultrasound: While X-rays are a good place to start to look for obvious abnormalities, some things are impossible to determine on X-rays alone, such as the inside of many organ structures, measuring the thickness of bowel, looking for smaller, more subtle changes which may be missed on X-rays, etc. Depending on the individual, some pets will require sedation for ultrasound to be completed in order to keep the procedure as fear/stress free as possible for your pet, and to ensure adequate images can be obtained and are not influenced by excessive movement from your pet.
- CT Scan or MRI: These advanced imaging modalities provide detailed imaging of the brain, sinuses, and skull, allowing veterinarians to diagnose conditions like tumors, inflammation, or even trauma in some cases. A veterinarian may recommend these if your pet is experiencing neurologic symptoms, unexplained nasal discharge, trauma, suspected brain disease, etc.
- Endoscopy or Biopsy:In some cases, this may be recommended after utilizing one of the above diagnostics to further gain insight into your pets health. Endoscopy uses a small camera to go into places such as the nasal cavity, the throat, esophagus, trachea, etc.. at this time, (dependent on what is found), your veterinarian may remove foreign objects or collect biopsies of the tissue that can be reached with the scope, however it is important to note that endoscopy has its limits, and the lower gastrointestinal tract cannot be reached, and sometimes objects may be too large, friable, or sharp to remove with endoscopy alone. In these cases, surgery is likely to be recommended.
- Exploratory Laparotomy: In some cases, opening up your pets abdomen while under general anesthesia is a diagnostic itself. While oftentimes this is utilized as a treatment option to remove foreign objects or tumors, this may also be a great diagnostic tool when biopsies are required for an accurate diagnosis, seen in cases like inflammatory bowel disease, or gastrointestinal lymphoma.
When to seek Veterinary Care
If you are noticing lethargy in your pet for a prolonged amount of time, without any resolution or worsening amount of time, it may be time to seek veterinary attention. Lethargy can be particularly concerning when paired with other clinical signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, a decreased appetite, limping, trouble breathing, etc.
Treatment
Treatment for lethargy is going to be dependent on the underlying cause responsible for this behavior. Some treatment options may include:
- Medications: Some medications may help to improve the overall clinical status of your pet all dependent on the responsible cause. For example, your pet may need medication to help the heart contract more efficiently, an antibiotic to treat an active infection, or sometimes even a supplement to help support the liver, etc. Using diagnostics, your veterinarian can help determine if a medication is right for your pet.
- Supportive Care: While diagnostics are great in helping us determine the cause of these issues since our pets cannot tell us; they may not always be perfect, and we may not get a diagnosis. In some of these cases, your veterinarian may decide to treat the symptoms they know with fluids underneath the skin, injections of an anti-nausea medication, probiotics, etc.
- Hospitalization: While many pets may respond well to supportive care at home on an outpatient basis, some medical conditions need to be treated a bit more aggressively with IV fluids, injectable antibiotics, oxygen support, and around the clock care that a well-equipped hospital can provide.
- Surgery: While supportive care can be a good start for many pets who have specific causes for lethargy, at times, if that cause is not responding to supportive care, surgery may be recommended. This may be surgery to remove foreign material that your pet may have ingested, or if you have a pet with a known diagnosis of cancer, it may be done to take out a tumor and complete a full abdominal exploration.
- Humane Euthanasia: The option we want to discuss the least of all; if diagnostics performed reveal less-than-desirable conditions which do not have cures or treatment options, this is not a wrong option to consider. Chronic pain, debilitating illness, progressive disease, or unmanageable distress can make daily life unbearable for an animal, and prolonging suffering may not be in their best interest, or even yours as their owner. Sometimes despite our best efforts, while we can do everything for our pets, some of these conditions lead to poor quality of life and treatment options become limited or futile. If you believe your pet’s quality of life is minimal, please reach out to your veterinarian for a discussion about humane euthanasia.
Conclusion and Next Steps
Lethargy in pets can stem from a number of issues. Monitoring your pet at home and remaining attentive to these behaviors is the best measure you can take to ensure your pets health and safety. If you are concerned, collaboration with your veterinarian and their team can help to find an answer and guide you towards options available which are best suited to you and your pet’s best interests.
Why is My Dog Scooting Their Butt on The Floor?
We’ve all seen dogs do the formidable butt-scooting on the freshly cleaned carpet. As comicable as it might be, there may be a deeper rooted issue than just Fido engaging in this behavior for attention from the family.
What Causes This?
Anal Gland Issues
The most common reason for butt scooting in dogs, would be an issue with the anal glands. These glands live on either side of your dog’s anus and are about the size of a grape (all dependent on the size of the dog). If your dog is not expressing these on their own as they normally should, these glands may become impacted, infected, or in some cases may even abscess and rupture. Usually owners will complain of a “fishy” or “metallic” smell of the anal gland material.
Perianal Infection/Disease
Diseases which happen around the anus may also describe why your pet is scooting. Some examples include: Perianal fistulas which are deep, ulcerated tracts that develop around the anus, often seen in certain dog breeds (German Shepherds being the most common) and thought to be related to an autoimmune cause. Abscesses can occur when anal glands or surrounding tissues become infected, leading to painful swelling, redness, and sometimes even rupture of the area. Both of these conditions can cause discomfort, scooting, licking, etc. and require veterinary attention.
Allergies
Allergies can cause scooting in dogs by leading to itchy, inflamed skin around the anus or perianal region, making them scoot on carpet or another rough surface in an attempt to relieve discomfort. Some common causes of allergies can be environmental, food, or in response to insects or parasites. If scooting is persistent and accompanied by itching, paw licking, ear infections, etc.
Parasites
Parasites can also be a cause of butt scooting due to irritation around the anus. Some parasites may be seen with the naked eye (depending on the lifestage they are in) while others may need a fecal examination to look for eggs. Tapeworm segments can look like small grains of white rice that appear to move. Other parasites, like roundworms and hookworms, may lead to further gastrointestinal upset and inflammation, indirectly causing anal irritation. With a parasite like Giardia, you may see other clinical signs such as diarrhea, leading to perianal discomfort and increased scooting.
Fecal Residue
The last, and most benign of issues, leftover fecal residue can be appreciated, particularly in animals which may have a longer coat. Luckily, the easiest fix for this may not require a trip to the veterinarian. If your pet will allow, using a warm, wet washcloth, you may soak this area until it becomes soft enough to remove. Please take caution to avoid bodily harm if using clippers or scissors to remove this. If this is required, it may be worth seeking assistance from a groomer or your primary care veterinarian for a sanitary trim.
Diagnosing the Cause
If your pet is showing signs of scooting or discomfort in the hind end and there is no obvious external issue, it is very likely that your veterinarian will recommend diagnostics to help determine the root of the cause. These may include:
- Rectal Examination: Upon receiving a physical examination, your veterinarian may want to perform a digital palpation of the rectum to determine if there are any abnormalities present such as distended anal glands, masses, or evidence of non-formed feces.
- Fecal Examination: If there are no obvious visual causes for the behavior, it may be recommended to send out a fecal examination. These are usually completed at an outside lab and used for scanning for the presence of intestinal parasites and their respective eggs on a microscopic slide. If parasites are found, this will help to guide your veterinarian to which dewormer is right for your pet.
- Anal Gland Expression: If there is evidence of anal gland distention, oftentimes these need to be expressed to evaluate the material present. If abnormal or if there is evidence of infection, your veterinarian may recommend sending out a culture, or antibiotic therapy to avoid these issues. If they are unable to be easily expressed, this may indicate an abscess, a mass, localized inflammation, or severely impacted material.
- Sedated Clip/Clean/Flush of the Area: If an abnormality is suspected on either a visual exam or rectal examination, it may be recommended to sedate your pet for a closer examination of the area. If an anal gland abscess is present, clipping, cleaning, and flushing the area and infected material from the region may be recommended.
- Advanced Imaging: If an obvious, or firm abnormality is appreciated on rectal examination and the area cannot be expressed or lanced, something such as cancer may be discussed as a possibility. In these cases, sometimes surgery may be recommended. Prior to taking these steps, a CT scan/MRI may be recommended to determine the extent of the abnormality, to look for evidence of metastasis to regional lymph nodes, and to help determine margins for the surgeon.
When to Seek Veterinary Care
If your pet consistently shows signs of irritation on the hind end and exhibits scooting, licking, or overall discomfort in the area it may be time to visit your veterinarian for next steps. From there, a physical examination will be performed and options will be discussed on how to best cater to your pet’s needs.
Treatment
Treatment for this issue is all going to be dependent on the underlying cause responsible for this behavior. Some treatment options may include:
- Anal Gland Expression: If your pet’s anal glands are distended, it would be in their best interest to have them emptied by a veterinary professional. While many groomers may offer this service, this may only be done externally by them. Your veterinary staff will likely express these internally in order to fully empty the gland and assess for any other abnormalities at this time. This can bring your pet relief by removing the material causing so much distention and discomfort, and subsequently you may see a reduction in scooting behaviors.
- Lancing, Draining, and Flushing the Area: If an abscess or severe anal gland impaction is present, your veterinarian may recommend lancing and draining the area to relieve pressure and flush out infection. This helps reduce pain and promotes healing. Oftentimes the area will be left open to heal naturally on its own, as placing stitches to close the region may trap harmful bacteria and lead to reaccumulation of an abscess.
- Medications: Depending on the cause, treatment may include antibiotics for infections, anti-inflammatories or pain relievers for swelling and discomfort, and antiparasitic medications if intestinal parasites are involved. If this is suspected to be secondary to an issue of your pet inappropriately expressing anal glands on their own, a supplement which may help such as Glandex, may be recommended, to promote the normal expression of these from your pet.
- Surgery: This option, although the least desirable, may be offered not only if something like a tumor is present, but in chronic or severe cases, such as recurring anal gland infections, surgical removal of the affected glands or may be necessary to prevent ongoing discomfort and frequent visits to the veterinarian. Talk with your veterinarian to determine if this is the right option for your pet.
Conclusion and Next Steps
To sum things up: scooting behavior in your pets can mean a multitude of different issues, and all pets are different. If your pet suffers from anal gland distention, the frequency of manual expression by a trained veterinary team member will depend on the individual’s needs. Some dogs go their entire lives and never need a manual expression, while others may need it every 4 to 8 weeks; however each pet is different and it may take some time to become familiar with your own pet’s necessities and schedule for this. If you are concerned, collaboration with your veterinarian and their team can help guide you towards options available which are best suited to you and your pet’s best interests.
