My old dog is 15, won't eat, can't stand, and has stomach cramps. What's wrong?

Poor Max. I’m sorry he’s not feeling well. Im suspicious from what I see in the picture that his neck or back hurts. If he is not back to normal tomorrow then I would recommend that he be evaluated by a veterinarian. Then they can decide if dog safe pain medication is appropriate for him or if other diagnostics should be done. I hope he improves quickly.

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Loss of appetite can be observed with many conditions such as gastroenteritis, dietary indiscretion, kidney disease, pancreatitis, among many other possibilities. I recommend that you have Max evaluated by your veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. They would be able to check for these possibilities and others depending on the findings on exam. Treatment would be based on findings. Good luck and have a great day! Hoping for a speedy recovery!

Given his age and symptoms, he will need to see a vet as son as possible, it seems like he has nausea and is in severe pain, this is probably due to an internal condition and it will require some tests such as an Xray or ultrasound in order to find out what is wrong with Charlie.

Poor Milo! He sounds quite ill at the moment, and his symptoms could be caused by a severe GI illness, liver disease, eating something rotten, a foreign body, kidney failure, or even cancer. It's best given his old age and his symptoms that he is seen by a vet as soon as possible for a physical exam, geriatric blood panel, urinalysis, and x-rays. These tests can help the vet diagnose what is causing his symptoms so treatment can be discussed and started.

It's hard to say what could be causing this without examining Maxx. It could be caused by pain, internal medical disease (such as liver disease), electrolyte abnormalities, neuromuscular disorder, etc. If it doesn't appear to be getting worse and Maxx is otherwise normal, then it can probably wait to see the vet. If it does get worse, bothers Maxx, or if additional symptoms develop, he should see a vet during your travels.

Max sounds like he is very ill and he likely has an internal illness or organ malfunction that is causing his overall lethargy, heavy breathing (can be a sign of pain, underlying lung disease, heart disease or infection) and unwillingness to move. This sounds serious and there isn't much you will be able to help him with at home, he needs to be seen by your vet. For an older dog I worry about things that may not be treatable and also major illness that can take its toll if not identified quickly and treated quickly. He likely needs bloodwork analysis and chest radiographs to start. Once his underlying illness has been properly identified then the vet can discuss treatment options with you, if available. I am so sorry that Max is so ill, but the next best thing is to take him in and make a decision concerning his quality of life and likelihood of having a positive outcome with treatment. I wish you all the best and hope that things do work out for your pet Max. Best wishes and take care.

This sounds like it may be a neck or back problem that can be affected the spinal cord causing stiff legs and a tense abdomen. The pain in the back can make the abdomen tight. Is she able to walk or get up? That will tell you a good deal about how serious this is. She does need to go to the vet for blood work and exam to see which area is affected and what your treatment options are