our old dog can't stand up

Do go to the vet , I hope all will be well

She may have pulled something or strained herself with all that running.
Or it could be what you are dreading. I would be tempted to see the vet, an anti inflammatory such as Metacam may be all it needs this time.
Grace gave me a sleepless night last November in a similar way, but was beginning to recover the next morning. And she is still here aged 13. However I now discourage her from running around like a loony . If she is in pain you must act, but I absolutely know the feeling

This has happened to all our elderly retrievers from the age of about 11 or 12 onwards and it is very common in the breed. The legs start to lose power gradually and climbing the stairs becomes difficult, as does getting on the sofa! Occasionally they get a very bad patch, we once had a situation where the legs went and the dog pooed himself, but miraculously he picked up again and carried on plodding about for a good year or two after. Maybe your dog overdid it yesterday, or was she standing up for a long time, like on a car journey? Maybe you could give your vet a ring if there is no improvement and ask what to look out for?

My first Great Dane and the last one we had both suffered from CDRM, chronic degenerative reticulo myositis, which causes the nerves in the spine to die off. It is pain free, but in the end their back legs gave up completely. DH put them both to sleep, he was still working as a vet when our first one went and when our last ones legs went he got the drugs from friends. It is quite common in Danes and German Shepherds. She might just have worn herself out yesterday, hope she recovers

Please let us know how she gets on mustgrumble. All of us with elderly dogs (and younger ones) will be feeling for you.

I know that when that happened to my daughters dog the vet was able to prescribe something which worked for some time

I'm afraid it was the end for our Rhodesian Ridgeback when she could no longer support her weight as her back legs gave way. She had CDRM and was 12 when she was put to sleep.

I join those above who are thinking of you.

It's very sad to see them get like that. Our day foster dog is a large spaniel, and he can no longer climb into the car. He nearly drowned once, going after water birds in a flooded stream, because his back legs don't have the power to swim any more. His owner says the vet told her it was more like needing a hip replacement.
Even our border collie, at 13, can't jump into the boot of the car, only low jumps.
mustgrumble - I would ask the vet if there are any simple ways to help. I've heard of dogs with paralysis in the back legs being fitted with a sort of trolley, but I think that was due to a stroke.

So sorry to hear about your poor dog. Isn't it awful when they get old
My rescue Doberman is 11 now and has very poor control of his back end often doing the splits in his excitement to greet me
He has to stay indoors when I and my ridgeback go off to feed the pigs and I feel so mean but too much exercise makes him suffer
I just tell him he has to guard the house so he feels important ( works with my psychology anyway )
Hope alls well and you get a few more enjoyable years yet
Best wishes X

thanks all. we have a vet appointment later today. Apparently her litter-sibling had a similar seizure, assumed stroke, 3 days ago, and has made a good recovery, so fingers crossed it won't be a one way trip for the old girl.

My Parson Russell terrier is 16, she will be 17 in July. Recently she has been twitching, even when lying down. She has started to cross her back legs when walking. She still manages going upstairs but cannot see well enough to come back down. We have been to the vet who says it's Doggy dementia. Her appetite is good, and she still appears to enjoy life. She won't go far for a walk now though, found the block is far enough. We are also in a wait and see situation.

idiopathic vestibular syndrome diagnosed, with nystagmus. ("dogs don't have strokes"). Prognosis not too bad (or expensive), although the lingering nystagmus is a worry, 8 hours after onset of symptoms.

Patience - looking more positive than this morning though

I'm going though this with mine front legs,she has a,low throxin level by chance we are using an iodine,rich anti plaque,treatments a bit more,sprightly last,few,days,

Take her to the Vet. Good luck.

Any progress mustgrumble?