Amorphous dog

An amorphous dog can be a source of concern for his owners, and rightly so, since any change in the behavior of our four-legged friends can be indicative of a health problem. A dog's energy and appetite are central indicators of health, and a dog that suddenly seems tired is usually hiding something serious. Today, I'm going to teach you how to recognize an amorphous dog and what to do when your dog's behavior changes abruptly.

 

What is an amorphous dog?

An amorphous dog is a dog that lacks energy. Simply put, the term amorphous literally means "without form". When attributed to a living being, it means more like "unresponsive" and "lacking energy". In veterinary jargon, the terms apathy, despondency or prostration may be used to describe an amorphous dog.

Apathy is a state of emotional indifference in which the dog seems unable to react to its environment, its owner and various stimuli. It is not a disease, but a symptom that can translate a physical as well as psychological malaise.

Depression corresponds more to a physical or psychological exhaustion that leads to a state of general weakness. Like apathy, despondency is a symptom that can have various causes. In most cases, the cause of despondency is a physical disorder, which causes pain or discomfort that discourages the animal from moving or makes it morally tired.

Prostration is a state of extreme despondency characterized by a great immobility, following a collapse of the muscular functions. The dog then lies down, without getting up and without moving.

Prostration typically occurs in the case of a serious problem in the dog, but it can also accompany benign pathologies. Often, an amorphous dog also has dysorexia, which is an appetite disorder. We usually see hyporexia, lack of appetite, or anorexia, total absence of appetite.

In the case of anorexia, the dog stops eating completely, which increases its weakness and accelerates the deterioration of its condition. Hyporexia can go unnoticed, especially when it is not very marked. The owner may notice a long-term loss of weight in his pet, or that his dog doesn't finish his bowls like before.

In general, appetite disorders are considered to be aggravating factors in an amorphous dog.

 

My dog is amorphous, why?

An amorphous dog is almost always bothered by something, and if it's something that's causing him to become very depressed or apathetic, then it must be serious, at least in his eyes. Before trying to figure out why your dog is amorphous, it's important to note that this condition is not to be taken lightly in our four-legged friends.

Any change in behavior signals a problem that can be very serious, and delaying a trip to the vet can drastically affect your dog's prognosis. So, if your dog's condition seems critical, or if you don't want to take any chances, the best thing to do is to contact a veterinarian as soon as possible to get a reliable diagnosis and implement a suitable treatment if necessary.

Note that if your dog is prostrate, i.e. lying very still (and not just a bit limp), it is likely that his condition is an absolute veterinary emergency.

 

 

 

My dog is apathetic, he is depressed

If your dog is apathetic, if he seems to lose interest in everything, in his environment, in his master, in his fellow dogs and even in his food, it is possible that he is depressed.

Indeed, if one could think that depression is a typically human pathology, it is not, and our friends the dogs are also capable of feeling a great emotional distress.

Emotional distress can also be the cause of serious health problems for your dog.

So don't breathe a sigh of relief when you discover that your dog is amorphous "just" because he's depressed: it's not a veterinary emergency, but it's certainly not a condition to be taken lightly!

Depression in dogs is often caused by an environment and/or lifestyle that causes them anxiety.

Unfortunately, anxiety is an extremely pernicious disorder in dogs, very difficult to detect, and many owners do not suspect the existence of it in their four-legged friend.

A Finnish study, considered the largest ever conducted on canine behavior (more than 13,000 responses covering 264 breeds of dogs), has indeed determined that 72.5% of dogs are anxious and suffer from emotional distress.

If your pet seems depressed, you should ask yourself about the environment and lifestyle you provide.

Does he get enough physical activity? Can he practice a sport that suits him? In a stimulating environment? In freedom? Do you take the time to stimulate him intellectually every day?

Intellectual stimulation is a very important aspect of a dog's well-being, and its lack can quickly lead to emotional distress.

Indeed, dogs, like humans, need to think and exercise their sense of smell, hearing and sight, as well as their muscles. The lack of intellectual activity can be devastating, especially in particularly alert dogs (Poodles and Shepherds, for example).

A change in your pet's daily routine can also be very distressing. If your doggy is amorphous after having moved, or following a change in the composition of your household (death, marriage, birth, separation...), this track is definitely worth studying.

Finally, a brutal, violent or simply clumsy education can greatly harm his psychological balance. Many novice masters, without knowing it, regularly put their dog in situations of failure, which leads them to reprimand him without the animal understanding why.

This can happen, for example, when a dog fails to obey a recall when the command is given indiscriminately, or when a handler "tests" the dog's obedience by encouraging him to face a temptation that could lead to disobedience.

If it seems plausible to you that your pet is depressed or anxious, you can turn to an educator or a dog behavior professional who will be able to guide you on the avenues to be explored in order to restore your companion's zest for life.

However, a veterinary visit is highly recommended first to rule out any physical cause before looking at your dog's psychology.

While emotional distress is often behind unexplained apathy, it should be noted that this condition can also be a sign of a serious illness or injury.

 

My dog is down, sick or injured

A dog that is down, that shows a general weakness and/or a great fatigue, generally suffers from an illness or an injury, potentially serious.

The observation of additional symptoms can be extremely revealing, but the observations of the owner can never replace a veterinary visit to make a definitive diagnosis.

In fact, the diseases that can cause a dog to go down are extremely varied: to put it simply, all existing diseases in dogs can cause them to go down, and the same is true for all injuries, whether it's a small boo-boo or an internal hemorrhage.

A dog that is down can suffer from diabetes or cancer as well as gastroenteritis, have a thorn in its paw or have been hit by a car. Note that a fever typically results in depression. If your dog is being handled, it's a good idea to take his rectal temperature with a soft tip thermometer.

A healthy dog generally has a body temperature between 38°C and 39°C. Above 39°C, the dog is considered to have a fever, and above 41°C, the dog is hyperthermic and probably suffering from heat stroke. However, the absence of fever does not mean that your dog is not sick or injured. This indication is mainly useful to evaluate the seriousness of your dog's health condition.

 

 

 

My dog is prostrate, he is in dange

If your dog remains prostrate, lying on the ground and almost motionless, his life is certainly in immediate danger.

In this situation, it is essential not to waste any time and to quickly contact the veterinary emergency room nearest to you to let them know that you are on your way.

Once again, there are many pathologies that can lead to prostration in dogs, and it would be impossible to present them all in one article.

However, such a deterioration in the animal's general health is usually indicative of a critical problem that is life threatening.

Trauma that has caused significant internal damage or nerve damage, such as an infection that has progressed to septic shock, may be suspected.

It is also possible that one of the animal's internal organs has failed. Severe liver or kidney failure, airway obstruction resulting in syncope or terminal cancer are all causes to consider.

 

Frequently asked questions

My dog is amorphous, is it serious?
An amorphous dog is always overwhelmed by something, but fortunately this is not always an absolute veterinary emergency. The seriousness of his condition can be estimated by his degree of dejection: if he is apathetic, i.e. seems disinterested in everything around him without showing any other symptoms, it is possible to wait before making an appointment with a veterinarian. On the other hand, if he is prostrate, lying on the ground without moving or almost without moving, it is highly recommended to take him to the veterinary emergency room without delay.

My dog is amorphous, is he sick?
It is very likely that your amorphous dog is sick, as lack of energy is usually a sign of a psychological or mental health problem. If the dog is very down, you should consult a veterinarian without delay. If your dog is moderately listless, but his condition lasts longer than 48 hours, it is also strongly advised to contact a veterinarian.

How do I know if my dog is amorphous?
There is no precise definition of an amorphous state in dogs, and any dog that is apathetic, down, tired, weak, lacking in energy or sad, can be qualified as amorphous. Ultimately, what should alert the owner is a change from the usual animal behavior. So, if your dog is naturally lazy, it is not necessarily worrying to see him lounging on a cushion all day. But if your pet is a ball of energy, a sudden sadness is more of a problem.

My dog is amorphous, what should I do?
A change in your pet's behavior is almost always a sign that he is coming down with something, whether it's an emotional or physical problem. If your dog is amorphous, it is highly recommended to take him to a veterinarian who will do a check-up and make a definitive diagnosis. Note that if your dog is suffering from any pathology, early treatment will always offer a better prognosis. Seeing your dog's sudden lack of energy is a solid reason to consult a veterinarian and get a check-up to find out the cause of his problems.

A sudden change in a dog's behavior is always motivated by concerns that need to be addressed to ensure your dog's well-being, even when they are not life threatening.