I have a lab. I've had him for about 10 years. Normally, he loves to play outside, Plays fetch, chases anything that comes in our yard, plays with the cat and other dog. Yesterday, he started acting funny. He doesn't care about doing anything. He will only go a few steps, then lays down. He went out the door this morning, and laid on the deck. When he came out, he laid on the deck. When I saw he wasn't interested in going to the yard to do his business, I called him back in, but he wouldn't move. After about 10 minutes, I went back to the door, and he came in. He went to his water bowl and took a drink. I gave him a dog bone and he ate it then laid down. He likes to lay in the living room during the day while we are gone, but he just laid down. After a few minutes, he moved a few more feet and laid down again. I realize he is old but he still runs and plays until he gets tired and he plays until he is out of breath and panting. This began yesterday. Do dogs have days when they just don't feel good like we do?

To answer your question directly, yes, they can have an off day as they age like we do, but I don't recommend taking anyone's or any animal's health for granted. Glm, is your dog eating and drinking as usual? Is it very hot where you live? Those are factors that you have to consider. It may be too hot and he doesn't feel like running around or moving. That does happen when the temps and humidity are high. If he appears to stay lethargic and he doesn't improve over the course of the weekend, I would suggest contacting your vet on Monday and get him in for an examination. If you are very worried now, temps are moderate, and you have a gut feeling he may be ill, then call today and see if the vet will squeeze him in for an exam before the end of the day. I would hate to see you worrying over the weekend when you can't do anything about it.

It is hot, 95 yesterday but he lives in the house. He is usually too happy to come to get a little petting. This morning he just looked at me and wagged his tail. I was only a few steps away. He was young when I got him, but I don't know how old he really is. Still, even when the weather has recently been 100. He would still play fetch for awhile, then go in the house and rest. He is very spoiled.

Glm, I have the same problem with my dog on hot days. Right now, she is lying splayed out not wanting to move due to the heat. I try to walk her and she will take a few steps and plop down in the driveway. She won't budge. Your dog is older so I wouldn't be surprised if this is a result of a combination of the heat and his age. As long as his appetite is good and he is drinking water, I wouldn't worry too much. He may just be at that point in his life where he is beginning to slow down. See what happens when the heat wave breaks. And, again, if he doesn't perk up a little bit when the weather picks up, a vet check is not a bad idea. Better to err on the side of caution. :)

You should take her to your vet,and have some bloodwork done.Vet's usually like to run bloodwork on older dogs to pick up on a health problem.The cost is usually around $30.00,and you will know if her liver,kidneys,and other important factors are working properly.Large dogs have problems much sooner than smaller dog's,and bloodwork will alert an owner before it may be to late.:)

It may be something too simple to require blood work. My 12 year old Lab snapped back in a day or too on the medicine my vet give her.

A 12 year old dog will usually have some problem developing that only bloodwork will identify.The problem her dog has more than likely is the 95 degree heat and an old dog just trying to breathe.I live in a state where it has been 95 for a month and see how 5 minutes outside can wilt an animal. Bloodwork is recommended for all dogs who are older,which can pick up liver and kidney failure,pancreatitis,cancer,diabetes,thyroid disorders,and more.If you have a 12 year old dog that has not had bloodwork,your dog needs to be checked too,Labman.A dog is just like an old human,they develop the same problems due to an aging body.I know cancer is very common in large dogs,and it will kill if not caught before the pet starts showing symptoms.

I have to get with my vet this week to schedule an X-ray for my one year old. I am sure he will be interested in what some vet tech on the net has to say about his treatment of my older dog.

I forgot your dog's never get sick or old,and I'm sure you never get sick either.I think a vet tech knows a little more than a trainer.Remember a few days ago you told the woman to keep an eye on her dog,that it may be a reaction from a shot.Well,she was told it was a growth that had to be removed.If she would have waited the growth may be malignate and it would spread to his lymph nodes.I hope your vet has enough knowledge to tell you that you are wrong,and all dog's will get old and may develop health problems,before symptoms are visible.This is no different than a physican would recommend for a person that gets older,to keep a handle on problems that may be developing.I hope people realize that you are not the only person on this site to get advice from.Why do you get so mad when you are given advice?Women get yearly exams and mamograms,and most men should be checked for prostate cancer.Physicans recommend colon exams starting at 50.Why would you think your dog is above being checked for diseases that may cut his life short.Ok,I'm done trying to reason with someone who thinks vet techs are dumb,and don't have a clue about things they practice on a daily basis.I gained all my knowledge by assisting vet's that graduated from Auburn University,and one of them has owned his own practice for 30 years.Where did you get all your knowledge?

I think it really is a matter of what glmbrooks will feel most comfortable with doing and more importantly, what her vet recommends. I understand what you are saying pompano and I am not negating your suggestion. I specifically didn't state the bloodwork option because I felt that should be left up to her vet, who knows the dog best, to decide. Since glmbrooks has been given the information & opinions from all of us, hopefully she will discuss with the vet whether bloodwork is necessary.

glmbrooks I do hope you will stop by and let us know how your dog is doing. :)

Bloodwork is necessary if you want to see what kind of condition an old dog is in.How else are you going to find out if it may be in the first stages of liver disease,or some other disease.A vet cannot look at an animal and say your dog has a disease without bloodwork.You may see yellow eyes which is a symptom,but he will still run bloodwork to see how bad the problem may be.Ruby you are right,it is up to a vet,but I promise you if this vet has any common sense,he will tell her that if she wants to be sure there are no underlying problems,she should run a general health profile.It is not absolutely necessary if the owner does not want reassurrance that her pet may have underlying problems,but as a precaution,it needs to be checked at some point if you want to keep your pet healthy or perhaps comfortable till his body wears out.

I am sorry that you feel you need to defend your position or your opinion here. I do agree with your rationale pompano. I assume that the vet has common sense and I choose to believe that if glmbrooks has taken the dog to the vet, she has discussed what you suggested on Friday.

The best thing we can hope for on this web site is that each person who posts, will read all the responses, takes it all under advisement, and makes the right decision for their pets. Labman knows how I feel about getting into arguments or forcing our opinions onto someone. I was trying to end the argument on this thread between the two of you, the best way I know how. It doesn't do anyone any good, creates ill will, and might scare people away from using this site. I do believe that you have offered up some very good advice on this forum and have given people additional things to think about. That is really what it is all about.

Thank you Ruby,you're right about it all.People like you are a joy to chat with.I am sorry for going on,but sometimes you need to speak your mind.I feel better just getting it off my chest.:D I hope glmbrooks dog is better soon.I am ready for fall because all of my animals,especially my farm animals that stay outside are in misery.

Vets disagree, and possibly the one you work for is playing the CYA at the customers expense game with tests not really needed. I will continue to trust my vet and suggest others do likewise even if it isn't what some vet might do.

Believe what you want,but if an owner what's to know if his pet is in good health that is the only way to find out,unless you have a crystal ball,and if you do,what are you doing being a trainer?. I promise you,blood work on a pet is much cheaper than the cost to have a pet euthanize because it is in liver or renal failure.The cost for a general health profile is about 30.00,and if you go to a vet,there is always separate charges for every test performed.Fecals,Heartworm checks,ear slides,X-rays,sedation,and so on and so on.So I don't see how bloodwork is any different than any other test given to an animal.You say you are taking your dog for x-rays,what if I said that was unnecessary?I won't because that's not something I would do... I have my beliefs,and you have yours.See Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!

Personal attacks edited out- Labman