Dog in pain. No relief in sight.

Dylan greyhound is a 15 month osteosarcoma survivor. Right hind leg amputated. Ever since he has boughts of extreme pain. He pants heavily and chronically. He has more time in pain some days than without. He gets 400-600 mg of gabapentin and about 120 mg of novox for the pain a day. He receives acupuncture and Chinese herbs as well as spinal manipulation.

Here's the odd thing. He can go a week with no problems, then have a day or three of extreme discomfort. The only common situation, which is totally anecdotal, is the pain seems to coincide with an approaching atmospheric low. When rain or storms are within 24 hours he seems to get worse until it passes. Are we just imagining this?

​​​​​​We're trying heat and cold alternating along his spine. He's very tight right now. At wits end trying to ease his discomfort.

 I doubt you are imagining it.   I've fostered rescue Greyhounds, and they are wonderful dogs.    I wish I could be of futher help.   It must be heartbreaking to see Dylan in pain.

In reply to Cooter :

It is tough to watch. My wife struggles more with it than I do, but it's still hard when they can't tell you why they hurt.

Doggy physical therapy might help. 

I used to have a holistic vet that was trained in acupuncture and as an animal chiropractor who did wonders with rescues and older dogs in pain.

I'm going to risk wading in here. Just my perspective, and because we're kind of family on the forum, I'm going to be straight with you. Please forgive me if it's too blunt. 
 

When I have this conversation with my clients, I actually approach it as another pet owner. I've been through this with my own pets, two out of the last three died of cancer. 

First, what is Dylan telling you? Panting chronically with bouts of extreme pain...

 I just finished tech, headed out for the course walk, so I won't be as available as I would like, but I know what I would recommend. 

your dog has a terminal disease. How much suffering is worth extra time together? Of course you love him, and it's hard to let him go, but that's the last, most difficult, and most important way to show that love. 
 

I wish I could be there for you. 

What Floating Doc said.

I had a tripod who did great for years with one hind leg.  But he was a stout mutt.  Near the end, the added strain his missing leg put on his hip and back were evident and his decline went much more quickly than I expected.  My sister is a vet and we let our friend out of his suffering with his family around and letting him know how much we loved him.   

Dylan is 10. His last vet check up showed clean lungs and great blood. He is certainly past where most dogs would be having been diagnosed with osteo. Our vet recommended upping the gabapentin and monitoring. If no improvement then bring him in Monday.

I'm completely aware of where this heads. We will see what our vet thinks Monday as needed.

We know any time with Dylan has been bonus time. But, unless the cancer returns there is some other reason he's in pain. Our second grey lived four years post amputation and died of old age at 14.  Our third lasted nine months. They let you know when they're ready. We do not believe in extending their life for our sake. That's cruel. 

In reply to vwcorvette (Forum Supporter) :

Low barometric pressure aggravates arthritis and non-arthritic joint pain in humans, myself included. It is a real thing, at least in humans. IDK anything about it in dogs. I'd listen to Floating Doc and your local Vet.

Try CBD it helped my dog with arthritis incredibly ( from laying around to jumping on furniture) and helps me with migraines

In reply to Floating Doc (Forum Supporter) :

Doc, he was speaking to us. His pain and discomfort got worse over the weekend. So we took him in to our Vet this morning. X-rays showed a problem with his spine. Further analysis would tell us if it were cancer or advanced arthritis. Either way, there was not going to be a happy ending. He was struggling to stand on his lone hind leg, and the amount of drugs needed to keep him pain free would be ridiculous. We said our goodbyes this morning. 

We've had two dogs pass in the last six months. We have two dogs at home. The house seems bigger and emptier. My wife is heartbroken. I am sad.

Thank you all for your support and kind words.

In reply to vwcorvette (Forum Supporter) :

I'm so sorry for your loss. Even when you know what you must do, it's still so hard.

So sorry for your loss. Dylan was blessed to have you as family.

In reply to vwcorvette (Forum Supporter) :

That blows. There's really no other way to say it. It just sucks. 
Sorry that was the result, we all were hoping it wouldn't be. 

Sorry for your loss. I hate losing a dog. 

I am so sorry for your loss. 

So sorry. Just went through it myself a few weeks ago. Knowing it is the right thing sure doesn't make it hurt less. 

Dang it's dusty in here. Sorry for your loss, Dylan was lucky to have you.

Sorry about your dingo. The worst kind of day. 

OHSCrifle said:

Sorry about your dingo. The worst kind of day. 

Funny our last Greyhound was named Dingo!