My Dog Is Acting Lethargic. We Just Found Out He Has Skin Allergies, And Got Him Meds. He Will Only Eat About 1/2 His Food And He Is Not Acting Himself At All. He Seems Stiff Like He Is Having Trouble Moving. What Could It Be?

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Anonymous Profile
Anonymous answered
Stiffness is not a normal response to medications used for allergy treatment.  This may be something else.  Talk to your veterinarian to determine if this is a reaction to the new medication.  It would be best to have your dog examined by your veterinarian to make sure this is not something new.
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Jennifer S
Jennifer S commented
Pred usually causes dogs (and people) to eat more, gain weight, drink more, and urinate more. Since it is a steroid, he should be on a higher dose to start, and then he will be slowly weined off of it. If it is stopped abruptly, it can cause issued. Simplicef is an antibiotic and it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased appitite so that may explain why he is not eating all of his food. As for the lyme vaccine, it is not 100% and if you live in an area where ticks are a major problem, he could still get it. I live in New Jersey, and ticks are a major problem for us. If he seems to be resting comfrotably and does not seem to be in any pain, and he is not scratching himself bald, then I think the Pred and Antibiotics are working. The not eating all of his food is most likely caused by the side effect of the simplicef. He is probably just so happy to not be itchy, that he is taking advantage of being able to sleep. I would still follow up with the Veterinarian that diagnosed him and prescribed the meds. Call him/her tomorrow and give them an update on how he is doing. Let him or her know about the decreased appetite and the sleeping. Just make sure his bowel movements are normal and that he is not having any diarrhea nor is he vomiting. If he is urinating more than ususal and drinking more than ususal, that could be a side effect of the Pred. I am sure your veterinarian will do a better job explaining everything that I can. I hope that I helped... Have a great night and kiss your baby for me!!! Sincerely,
VetTechJenn
Jennifer S Profile
Jennifer S answered
What medications is he on? Diphenhydramine (Benadryl) is the most common medication used for allergies in humans and canines. Diphenhydramine causes drowsiness which can look a lot like being lethargic.
If he seems stiff, there could ne neumerous causes. Has he been tested for lyme disease, ehrlichia, and anaplasmosis? All of these are tick-borne diseases which cause stiffness, muscle aches, and joint pain as well as a high temperature. If he will let you, you can take his temperature (rectally of course).
The best suggestion I can give as a Veterinary Technician of almost 10 years is to look up his medications on-line and see what the side effects for all of them may be. If that does not explain how he is acting/feeling, I would contact your veterinarian and let him or her know all of his symptoms. I suggest that you go to the same Veterinarian that diagnosed his allergies and prescribed the medications as he or she should know and be familiar with your baby's history. I would ensure that he is urinating normal and having normal bowel movements and no vomiting or diarrhea. Also ensure that he is eating and drinking and has access to both food and water (if and only if he is not vomiting or has an upset stomach). Also, when I found out that my french bulldog Amabella had skin allergies, along with giving her Diphenhydramine (which made her drowsy/lethargic), we also had to switch her food to a new food that does not contain any wheat or soy... I hope everything works out for you and your pup!!! I hope I was of some help...
Sincerely, VetTechJenn
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Anonymous
Anonymous commented
He is on Prednizone and simplicef. He has been acting lethargic for some time. We noticed his itching and sneezing and lethargy so we took him to the vet. They said he had skin allergies and prescribed the meds. The meds have helped with the sneezing, little swollen spots, and itching, but he is still so tired and seems stiff. I got a lime vaccine last year, (but it may have been the year before) I hope he is just resting up from the week or so of discomfort.
Jennifer S
Jennifer S commented
Pred usually causes dogs (and people) to eat more, gain weight, drink more, and urinate more. Since it is a steroid, he should be on a higher dose to start, and then he will be slowly weined off of it. If it is stopped abruptly, it can cause issued. Simplicef is an antibiotic and it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, and decreased appitite so that may explain why he is not eating all of his food. As for the lyme vaccine, it is not 100% and if you live in an area where ticks are a major problem, he could still get it. I live in New Jersey, and ticks are a major problem for us. If he seems to be resting comfrotably and does not seem to be in any pain, and he is not scratching himself bald, then I think the Pred and Antibiotics are working. The not eating all of his food is most likely caused by the side effect of the simplicef. He is probably just so happy to not be itchy, that he is taking advantage of being able to sleep. I would still follow up with the Veterinarian that diagnosed him and prescribed the meds. Call him/her tomorrow and give them an update on how he is doing. Let him or her know about the decreased appetite and the sleeping. Just make sure his bowel movements are normal and that he is not having any diarrhea nor is he vomiting. If he is urinating more than ususal and drinking more than ususal, that could be a side effect of the Pred. I am sure your veterinarian will do a better job explaining everything that I can. I hope that I helped... Have a great night and kiss your baby for me!!! Sincerely,
VetTechJenn
kerstin slaven Profile
kerstin slaven answered

Umm to be honest it might be the new meds because people act funny when they take new meds but it seams like he might be just felling weird from the new meds. But if he starts to act even more weird my dad is a real vet so I can tell him if you want, if not tell me or ignore it, it seems a little rare... I would this is probably a BIG sign that you're just missing

Jacquelyn Mathis Profile
I would call an emergency vet and talk to them about this, it could be that he might be allergic to the medicine, and might need a different type. Hope this helps, good luck to you and the pup.

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