Dog question

So my dog (roughly 9 years, she was a rescue so we don't know exactly) is not laying down. She was sitting on the couch earlier and yelped when she got off. She also yelped when she went down the stairs to go outside. I tried looking through the internets but got several different answers as to what the problem probably is. Her leg looks alright, nothing in her foot. We did a brief pat down of her legs and she didn't yelp and nothing felt broken. Not that I'm a doctor or anything.

Any ideas?

It could be arthritis. My understanding is that diagnosis is especially likely if she is very slow or reluctant to go up or down stairs.

Unfortunately the only way you can know with any certainty is to take her to a vet.

EDIT: grammar.

edited 13th Sep '11 7:17:32 AM by FrodoGoofballCoTV

Alright, thanks for answering.

Is she a big dog? They usually have problems with their tendons and their joints (as is the case with my dog), there is medication that can be provided for them though.

Seconding arthritis or joint problems. If she's a rescue dog you can't be sure what kind of injuries she's had over her life, so those could be starting to act up now that she's older.

Er... do you mind if I hijack this when you are done thatguythere?

Vet gave us some pain killers, if she doesn't improve bring 'er back situation. Hoping that that'll settle it.

sure.