7 year old lab suddenly lethargic and breathing fast

[CraigNewmarket]

We have a 7 year old lab, over the past few days she's been really lethargic, she is still eating drinking and pooing and gets excited going on walks. But she's much more lethargic than normals and breaths really fast when asleep.

Can dogs get ill like people? Or is it worth a vet visit?

[Nick Forest]

At that age for that breed could be cardiomyopathy and definitely needs checking out

[moorx]

Assuming you've had the same weather as most of the country, it may just be the heat. My dogs are more subdued than normal.

But lethargy always concerns me because I've had two dogs with splenic cancer (haemangiosarcoma) which is sometimes called the 'silent killer' because it has very few symptoms.

A vet visit wouldn't do any harm.