Dog immobility

Question
My dog is a 15 year old Akita/ mix. She has been a very loyal and loving dog since she was 8 months old. Over the last 6 months, her mobility has been rapidly declining. She has a cyst on her right shoulder and has been losing control of her bladder while she sleeps. When she moves from a sitting to lying position, she yelps in pain, as well as when she goes up and down stairs. My question is if these are just symptoms of old age, or if there is something we can do to make her more comfortable.

Answer
You should take her to the vet for an examination and consult.  Yes she certainly could be helped by putting her on pain medication such as Deramaxx or Rimadyl.  The incontinence can be controlled with a medication called Proin.  And certain vitamin supplements like B complex, Cholin, MSM and Glucosamine can be given to help support her nervous system and joints.