My senior dog suddenly can't stand, jump, or eat easily. What's wrong?

Question

I have a black lab 8 years old and within the past week I have noticed it is getting hard for her to stand up after laying down. She has a hard time going up and down the stair and will no longer jump up on my bed. She doesn't want to bend her head low enough to eat her food out of her bowl. What could be wrong with her, please help. Pet's info: Dog | Labrador Retriever | Female | spayed | 55 lbs

Jenna Beyer, DVM, MBA, cVMA · Accepted Answer

It definitely sounds like Lola is having a hard time getting around. This can be a common change in dogs that have arthritis, but the sudden onset has me concerned that something more serious could be going on. Possibilities include meningitis, intervertebral disc protrusion or rupture, muscle spasm, among many other things. Lola needs to be seen by a vet as soon as possible for a full physical exam. The vet will pay particular location to muscles, the back and may do a neurologic exam to assess for any deficiencies. Bloodwork may be recommended to screen for internal causes of sudden pain, such as infection or kidney disease. Based on diagnostic results, your vet will be able to prescribe appropriate pain medications. Unfortunately there are no over the counter pain medications that are safe for Lola. You can try to raise her food and water bowls up to a more comfortable level, and have plenty of soft bedding for her to lay on on the floor.

My senior dog suddenly can't stand, jump, or eat easily. What's wrong?

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