My dog suddenly can't walk, lift head, or eat. What should I do?

I am very concerned about your dog's condition and highly recommend a veterinary visit. There are a few general categories that fit with what your dog is showing at home. One would be weakness due to a nerve problem in the back end. This can happen if a disc has moved out of place in the spine and is pressing on the spinal cord. This can cause dogs to have trouble walking and placing their feet in an appropriate way. Some have the appearance of walking on their toes. Otherwise they are able to place weight on the back legs but stagger or sway when walking. This can be an emergency situation if the disc slips more into the spinal cord and causes paralysis. Another type of weakness that causes trouble getting up is if there is a lack of proper blood circulation. The lower level of blood in the body causes them to be lethargic due to the decreased oxygen circulating throughout the body. In an older dog, the most common cause of this is with a tumor or mass on the spleen that has ruptured. The spleen holds a large amount of blood and if it has a rupture, the blood leaks out into the abdomen. In addition to the lethargy, we often see pale gums and a pot belly appearance due to the pooling blood. An x-ray or ultrasound would help determine if this is occurring. These are the two most common reasons for such a dramatic change in her appearance. There is also the chance of her eating something she shouldn't. The best thing for her would be to have an exam as soon as you are able to determine what is causing her signs. The vet may recommend bloodwork or an x-ray. Unfortunately. older large breed dogs can lose nerve function in their back legs due to age changes. There is little we can do to help this aside from keeping them comfortable. Due to how sudden the signs showed up, this is less likely, as it is often a more gradual change.

It sounds like she is in pain. She could have a problem with her neck or back causing the pain. Since she is otherwise acting normal, it might not be an emergency but taking her to the emergency clinic tonight would give her some relief and make her feel a lot better. She may need an anti-inflammatory, pain medications, and a muscle relaxer. Hope she feels better soon!

This sounds like a neurological problem affecting the spinal cord. Intervertebral disc extrusion and spinal cord infarct are most likely at this stage given initial pain and clinical signs. An immediate check up is needed ti confirm this suspicion and investigate and treat appropriately. Please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

Not being able to walk all of a sudden is an emergency and you need to take Paris to your vet now. If this is caused by a prolapsed disc, then time is of the essence, ie treatment with NSAIDs, pain medication and strict cage rest as early as possible increases the chance of recuperation. There can be other reasons for not being able to walk, and only a hands-on exam will facilitate a diagnosis. Your vet will want to do radiographs, possibly blood tests and do a thorough orthopedic and neurological exam.

This sounds like she may have a severe injury or balance problem. I strongly recommend an urgent vet check to identify and treat the source of her pain and discomfort as these are not normal behaviors

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.

Oh dear! This is a very serious problem - I'm afraid she really has to see a vet right away. She may have a herniated disc in her back causing the paralysis, or some other neurologic problem affecting her spinal cord. She may be in pain, or she may have no feeling at all in her rear legs - it's impossible to say without an exam. She needs immediate treatment to have a reasonable chance of regaining function in her rear legs, I'm afraid there's nothing you can do at home that will help her. If costs are a concern, you can see if there is a low-cost SPCA clinic in your area that could help. You could also apply online for Care Credit, which is a payment plan accepted by most vet clinics: www.carecredit.com