Exercise Intolerance in Dogs

Published on
Last updated on
3 min read

Key takeaways


Exercise intolerance is a decreased ability to endure sustained exercise.

  • A dog suffering from exercise intolerance wants to move and take part in the activity but is unable to do so.
  • Obesity is one of the most common causes of exercise intolerance
  • Exercise intolerance is a symptom of a number of serious underlying medical conditions such as heart disease, anemia, and diabetes
  • Diagnostics for a dog with exercise intolerance include physical examination, blood tests, and diagnostic imaging
  • Treatment and prognosis depend on the underlying cause of the symptoms and vary greatly
Are you concerned?

Connect with a vet to get more information about your pet’s health.

Book an online vet

A closer look: Exercise Intolerance in Dogs


Exercise intolerance is commonly confused with lethargy, which is defined as an extreme decrease in the willingness to exercise or move.

Exercise intolerance most commonly presents in association with obesity, which has multiple negative impacts on a dog’s health.
Exercise intolerance is also a symptom of other serious medical conditions, such as heart disease, anemia, or diabetes mellitus. Most cases of exercise intolerance require prompt veterinary care. Dogs that collapse suddenly, are severely lethargic, or unable to rise require immediate, emergency veterinary care.

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including frequent exercise, reduces the risk of exercise intolerance due to obesity. Regular, year-round use of heartworm prevention is an effective way to prevent exercise intolerance due to heartworm disease. Regular dental cleanings also help minimize the risks for heart disease and subsequent exercise intolerance. Frequent veterinarian visits can help identify other potential causes of exercise intolerance early, improving their prognosis.

Connect with a vet to get more information

With DVM, ICH certifications and great reviews by pet parents like you for this symptom

Possible causes


Risk factors


Exercise intolerance may be categorized in accordance with the severity of symptoms.

Mild cases may present as an unwillingness to walk or participate in activities. Severe cases of exercise intolerance may result in collapse, pale gums, and cyanosis with exercise. The collapse may be total or only affect the rear legs causing the appearance of poor coordination or balance.

Testing and diagnosis


A dog presenting symptoms of exercise intolerance will likely undergo the following diagnostics to determine the underlying cause:

  • Physical examination
  • Blood test
  • Diagnostic imaging
  • Urinalysis

Exercise intolerance is a symptom of an underlying medical problem and not a condition in itself. Treatment depends on the underlying condition. Prognosis depends on the underlying cause and varies greatly. In all cases, prompt veterinary treatment increases the probability of a positive outcome.

Similar symptoms


Associated symptoms


References


No Author - Writing for Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
Jean Marie Bauhaus - Writing for Hill's Pet Nutrition
"Kevin L. Cosford, DVM, MVetSci, DACVIM / Susan M. Taylor, DVM, DACVIM " - Writing for dvm360®

Our editorial committee

Our medical review team is responsible for validating and maintaining the quality of our medical information.