A friend's 9 year old female boxer started with muscle tenderness on Monday in her neck and wouldn't move it around much, walking slower than usual from what we thought was because of it. I believe "like it was stiff to stretch" according to my friend. On Wednesday evening, the boxer was lethargic and moving around sluggishly, laying down and staying in one spot for hours. They also said she had red and unfocused eyes, slightly runny nose, and generally slow movements. This was the most excitable dog that loved to meet strangers and run around. Thursday morning, she's stayed in the same spot for a couple hours on a couch and their pet cat, who never hangs around the boxer, has been cuddled up next to her since then. My friend's parents can not take her in for a physical check-up, they believe she's already on her way out.
I am a friend of the daughter, but they're unable to pay the fees that come with in person vet visits so at a loss of what to do. Her dad refuses to take her in since it started, and now is certain she's on her deathbed. They say if she continues like this for multiple days still, then they'll take her in to be euthanized. But it seems too fast a change of condition for what seemed like a healthy dog to become this way.
- no vomiting or diarrhea
- would eat and drink water less and less until Thursday, nothing at all so far
- refuses treats or going outside on Thursday
- barely acknowledges anyone going near her (barely moves eyes to look at who's petting her)
- even and steady breathing, maybe kind of shallow
Please help to figure out what could've happened, I'd appreciate any ideas or leads on what this might be.