If your dog gets more tired than usual on walks, walks more slowly, stops frequently or can no longer manage routes that they used to complete without any trouble, you should take note. A reduced tolerance for exercise may be linked to age, being overweight, hot weather or a decline in fitness, but it can also be caused by pain, joint problems, respiratory conditions, anaemia or heart problems.
The important thing is to assess whether the change has occurred recently, whether it is getting worse, and whether it is accompanied by other symptoms such as a cough, rapid breathing, lameness, weakness, weight loss or fainting. In such cases, a veterinary check-up in Benissa It helps to determine whether fatigue is due to a physical, cardiovascular, respiratory or metabolic cause.
It is not advisable to automatically attribute tiredness to age. An older dog may become slightly less active, but a noticeable loss of stamina may also be one of the first signs of an illness that needs to be diagnosed.
When is a dog considered to be too tired?
Every dog has a different exercise capacity depending on its age, breed, weight, physical condition and ambient temperature. What you should look out for is any change from its usual behaviour.
Some signs include:
- He stops during walks that he used to complete without any difficulty.
- Walk more slowly or you’ll fall behind.
- He wants to go home earlier than usual.
- Avoid running, playing or climbing stairs.
- He needs to rest very often.
- She is out of breath more than expected for the exercise she has just done.
- It takes longer to recover after the walk.
- He lies down or refuses to carry on.
If these changes occur persistently or gradually, it is advisable to have them investigated, even if the dog appears to be fine when at home.
Common causes of tiredness whilst out walking
Exercise intolerance can have many causes. Some are relatively easy to remedy, whilst others require a veterinary examination.
Among the most common are:
- Overweight or obesity.
- Lack of fitness.
- High temperatures.
- Osteoarthritis or musculoskeletal pain.
- Hip, knee or spine problems.
- Heart disease.
- Respiratory problems.
- Anaemia.
- Endocrine or metabolic disorders.
- Infectious or inflammatory processes.
- Chronic pain.
For this reason, the examination should assess not only the heart and lungs, but also the joints, muscles, body weight and general condition.
Could it be a heart problem?
Yes. Some heart conditions can reduce the body’s ability to respond properly during exercise. The dog may tire more quickly, stop during walks or take longer to recover.
Other symptoms that may accompany fatigue include a cough, rapid breathing whilst resting, weakness, fainting or a progressive loss of muscle mass.
If there is a heart murmur, an arrhythmia or compatible symptoms, a veterinary cardiology assessment These may include an echocardiogram, an electrocardiogram or other tests to assess how well the heart is functioning.
How can you tell if it might be a respiratory problem?
Respiratory problems can also cause tiredness, particularly if they make it difficult to breathe or exchange oxygen.
You should be on the lookout if, as well as showing signs of tiredness, your dog is coughing, breathing noisily, panting excessively, breathing rapidly whilst at rest, or needs to adopt unusual positions in order to breathe.
In such cases, tests such as a veterinary chest X-ray to assess the lungs, trachea and cardiac silhouette.
Could pain or osteoarthritis be making you tire more quickly?
Yes. A dog with osteoarthritis, dysplasia, a ligament injury or back pain may simply appear tired when, in fact, it is limiting its exercise because it is in discomfort.
These dogs may walk more slowly, avoid slopes or stairs, take a while to get up after a rest, or appear stiff at the start of a walk.
If you notice these signs, an assessment of veterinary orthopaedics and traumatology It can help identify any joint, bone or muscle problems that may be limiting your mobility.
Could it be down to being overweight?
Being overweight increases the effort required to walk and can reduce exercise tolerance. It also puts extra strain on the joints and can exacerbate respiratory or cardiovascular problems.
If your dog has put on weight and is gradually becoming less active, it is a good idea to check their body condition, diet and level of exercise.
A veterinary nutritional assessment It can help you set a weight target and draw up a personalised plan to regain your weight gradually and safely.
Can anaemia cause tiredness?
Yes. Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body. When a dog is anaemic, the tissues receive less oxygen and the dog may show signs of weakness, tiredness, reduced stamina during exercise and paler-than-usual mucous membranes.
Anaemia can have a wide variety of causes, such as blood loss, inflammatory diseases, immune disorders or internal problems.
The veterinary blood tests They enable the number of red blood cells to be checked and other parameters to be assessed, which may help to investigate the cause of fatigue.
What if he only gets tired when it’s hot?
Dogs regulate much of their body temperature by panting, so heat and humidity can significantly reduce their tolerance to exercise.
During the warmer months, avoid strenuous walks in the middle of the day, make sure your dog has plenty of water, and adjust the duration of the walk to suit the temperature and your dog’s fitness level.
If the panting is very severe and is accompanied by weakness, disorientation, vomiting, collapse or a high body temperature, it may be heatstroke and requires immediate veterinary attention.
Warning signs that a dog is getting tired whilst out for a walk
Seek veterinary advice if the tiredness is accompanied by:
- Rapid or laboured breathing.
- Persistent cough.
- Fainting or loss of consciousness.
- Sudden weakness.
- Very pale or bluish gums.
- Limp or pain.
- Weight loss.
- Reduced appetite.
- Enlarged abdomen.
- Gradual reduction in activity.
- Difficulty recovering after exercise.
Difficulty breathing, collapse, blue-tinged mucous membranes or fainting require immediate assessment.
What evidence may be needed?
The vet will start with a general examination and check your pet’s heart, lungs, mucous membranes, weight, joints and muscles. They will also ask when your pet starts to get tired, how much exercise it can tolerate and whether there are any other symptoms.
Based on the findings, the following may be recommended:
- Blood test.
- Chest X-rays.
- Echocardiography.
- Electrocardiogram.
- Blood pressure measurement.
- X-rays of joints.
- Other internal medicine tests.
The choice depends on whether the examination suggests a cardiac, respiratory, musculoskeletal, haematological or metabolic cause.
What you can look out for at home
Make a note of how long your dog walks before getting tired, whether the problem occurs straight away or after a few minutes, and how long it takes for them to recover. It may also be helpful to record a video of your dog during the walk.
Look out for a cough, limping, rapid breathing, difficulty getting up, changes in weight or a loss of interest in activities they used to enjoy.
Do not force your dog to continue the walk if it stops, shows signs of breathing difficulties or seems weak. Until you know the cause, adjust the intensity of the exercise to suit your dog’s tolerance.
When to make an appointment in Benivet Benissa
Book an appointment if your dog has started to tire more quickly during walks, is gradually becoming less active, or needs to rest much more frequently than before.
At Benivet Benissa, we can assess whether reduced exercise tolerance is related to the heart, lungs, joints, weight, anaemia or another condition, and select the appropriate tests for each case.
If your dog gets more tired than usual on walks and you live in Benissa, Calpe or the Marina Alta, you can contact Benivet Benissa to book a veterinary check-up.
Benivet Benissa
Av. del País Valencià, 10, 03720 Benissa
Tel. +34 622 325 271
Email: info@benivetbenissa.com
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9:30-18:30 - Sat 10:00-13:00
