9 year old Boxer on deathbed within less than a week - What happened?

[SS_21]

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.

[AnnieBrooke]

It sounds like it might be meningitis. Veterinary care is called for, but if the family can't provide it (are you sure there is no veterinary charity where you are?) the chances for the dog to survive are poor, and really depend on the dog. I wouldn't euthanize a dog in this condition on the slim chance that the dog will get better, but would urge you to press all inquiries (try your local Humane society first) to see if there is some vet charity in the area that could help get the dog to the doctor.

[SS_21]

Hi, thank you for your response, first of all. I ended up not coming back to this forum soon enough as I thought no one would be active on here for a while. But, I have news of my friend's boxer if you're interested:
They ended up taking her to get euthanized in the end. She would yelp at the gentlest touch today and they didn't want to prolong her suffering like that. I did get ahold of an online televet service myself, and they suggested it could've been a spinal injury or a "vertebral disc out of place (compressed or fractured), and even a spinal tumor. But without a physical exam, and tests, it was hard to tell.
I don't know what could've happened, but boxers are supposed to live typically 10-12 years so it kind of lessened the blow that her time to pass was to be expected. The vet they took her to agreed that she was in bad shape, and they went along with the procedure. Their family isn't in the best condition financially right now, so long-term care most likely would not have been possible.
For better or worse, they were coming to terms that she wouldn't get better today. At the very least, we will be putting her photo and items on an altar once November starts so they can have some memorial of her.
Thank you for your advice, I appreciate it nonetheless.
Have a good day

[SS_21]

I meant to also say but forgot in my original post:
She would hang her head all today and developed a slight rigidity to it. So, your idea is likely the best answer. Either that, or she had a Mast Cell Tumor that was aggressive as my friend found some small, hard bumps on her skin when she was petting her akin to how those look. It's just speculation at this point, but I hope that brings a little closing to this post.