Dog having trouble walking/standing

Hello, in the last few weeks my 12 yr old Aussie/German Shep mix has started having trouble walking and standing. His hind legs shake uncontrollably, seems like he doesn't have proper control moving them, and he often stumbles and sometimes falls. This isn't constant - worse in the morning it seems, but happens periodically throughout the day as well. Sometimes he seems to be fine. My google searching shows this could be a degeneration of nerves, and if so, there's nothing that can be done for it. He really really hates going to the vet, and is difficult with other people (has to wear a muzzle), so I'd like to avoid having to take him in - especially if this is a condition they can't help anyway. He's a high anxiety dog anyway, and he seems terrified now - I'm sure not being able to control yourself is frightening, even if there's no physical pain. I'm planning to get him some cbd chews or drops to help him stay calm. Any suggestions or advice? Please help!

Hello!  I hear that you have used Google and decided that your dog has a nerve problem and is untreatable.  However, you probably don't need me to tell you that this is a simplification.  Sometimes electrolyte imbalances, a tendency to low blood sugar (for instance, in the case of cancer or liver disease), orthopaedic / neurological pain or a build up of toxins in the blood, can be associated with these presentations and these may be helped.  Furthermore, vets are not only interested in the sort of illness we can 'make better'; we can also help to prolong useful life;  to support struggling animals, control pain and reduce deterioration. It is possible that euthanasia may be appropriate, either now or in the future;  a good vet will help you to assess the patient's illness, but also their quality of life and work with you to identify the right time for this.  You tell me that he is painless but terrified; fear is also a type of suffering and this may be alleviated or reduced, too. It sounds to me as if a vets' assessment is important right now; I wonder if you can get someone to come to your house, or perhaps to examine him with your help over a video link?  Corona virus has brought about many different ways of consulting.  There are also, depending where you live, pet ambulance crews who can reduce the stress of moving patients. Please do call your vets and explain;  hopefully, together, you can talk through the possibilities.