My 13 year old weimaraner, Boris, was recently diagnosed with bone cancer in his shoulder which is untreatable at this stage, his shoulder is collapsing in on itself and he wouldn't survive the surgery to amputate given his age and condition.  We are trying to make his remaining days as comfortable as possible.  The metacam is helping in the mornings, but by evening he can barely move.  Given his age and that he hasn't got much longer, does anyone have any experience with giving 2 doses a day 12 hours apart to increase coverage?  Are there any other things that we can be doing to help control the pain and give him a better quality of life for however much longer he is with us?  He is still happy in himself and eating well, he just can't walk and has become really clingy.  If we are moving about, even in the same room, he doesn't want to be more than a few feet away from us.  The time will come when he lets us know he's had enough, but I really don't feel like he is there yet.  My last 2 dogs just woke up one day and refused to move or eat and growled at anyone who tried to touch them, it was pretty clear cut they were ready to go.  I'm hoping he will let us know when he is ready, but until that day, we don't want him suffering.  Any advice would be very welcome.

Talk to your vet; I'm sure that under the circumstances anything that makes him more comfortable is fine. Longterm side-effects sadly aren't going to be an issue.

With one of mine who was terminal cancer, she was on Metacam but as this should last for 24 hours, only as much as her weight suggested (unit-wise) and only once a day.   She started having bad stools at which point she was taken off the Metacam (this was all under the vet's advice) and given Tramadol.   Unfortunately that completely zonked her out, and at the same time, her brother started having bad stools too, so what she was doing wasn't to do with the Metacam and she came off the Tram. and back on Metacam.   However, pretty soon after that, it became obvious she'd had enough (it was there in her eyes) and we had to let her go.   We never did lingering.

So sad about your old boy, but I'm sure you'll know when to end any suffering.

I an sorry u are having to deal with this it's very difficult
Agree with Jean genie.speak to your vet  asap if u feel.things arnt giving her sufficient  relief
There are other or combination pain killers that can be used but its truly the area of an experienced vet not something we should advise on.
  Bone  cancer is very painful and as said it's about making appropriate  choices and not worrying about side effects at this point .

Thank you.  We haven't been able to speak to the vet because even though they saw him a few days ago, they insist that we make an appointment and bring the dog with us to ask a simple question.  He is big, even for a weimaraner (not overweight, just very tall and solid) and getting him in and out of the car is agony for him, and it is a 40 minute drive each way.  We offered to pay for a phone appointment, but apparently they can't charge us unless we bring him in so the receptionist won't even put the vet on the phone or give him a message for us.  Our old vet would have never made us drag a sick dog in when we already knew what was wrong, but unfortunately he has retired and left the area and the new vet is all about making a profit.  Where we live we don't have any other options on vets, they are in short supply.  I did try that route before consulting the internet, but at this point we are just hoping for someone with similar experiences who can tell us what they did and how it worked for them as "professional" advice is not available.

Do they do home visits? In these circumstances it would.be much fairer for him . Not everyone can take animals.into.the vet many do home.visits .
It really sounds ridiculous that u cant even speak to a vet especially  as he has recently been seen.

Trouble is although people here have used different  meds for this kind of.thing most will need to be prescribed via.the vet in any case . I really feel for.you.
Would it be possible to go.to the vet yourself  without him and request seeing the vet.if he is actually there it is harder to not speak to you especially  info explain why u haven't bought him and how.much pain he is .

They only do "final" home visits, and those have to be out of hours.  We are going to go down there tomorrow and hang out in the waiting room and try to grab the vet as he walks through.

Gosh how unhelpful.  I do hope u can  get something as he shouldn't be allowed to suffer because u cant access a vet.

> they insist that we make an appointment and bring the dog with us to ask a simple question.

That's shocking. There are many reasons why a pet cannot be taken to the surgery, and a simple phone chat with you should enable to vet to put up some additional medication for you to collect to make your boy more comfortable. There are several different preparations that could be given in conjunction with his metacam but of course it would be totally illegal for anyone not his vet to suggest what to give or how much. It's appalling that the practice won't do this.

> It really sounds ridiculous that u cant even speak to a vet especially  as he has recently been seen.

Too right!   I would be fuming.  I saw a vet yesterday with one of my girls who has a large lump on the side of her head.  As fluid couldn't be drawn, a sample was taken.  A tumour was my first thought too.  She was given antibiotics and an anti-inflammatory injection, in the hopes that this may help. 

I tried to give her a syringe with Metacam in a couple of hours ago.  She screamed like hell, it really hurt to open her mouth.  I thought that crushing her antibiotic and mashing it in with dog meat would be the best way to give her food.  She won't eat, and is in a huge amount of pain.  I phoned the vet half an hour ago and he said to take her in right away.  George has taken her for me, just a few minutes ago.  She is going to be given stronger opiates and an antibiotic injection.  It may well be that I have to let her go if it turns out not to be infection. 

I will give her a couple of days, and if it isn't infection, I will love her enough to let her go.  Better a week too early than a day too late.  I've always believed that you should take their pain away and make it yours.

Oh jean I hope its something  simple and u can  get her pain under control while she recovers

I echo your sentiments entirely

Disgusting that a receptionist can stop you speaking to the vet, even if they are a VN. Pity you cannot consult another vet.

So sad so many "new" vets are all about saving time & claw in the money.

Are you a member of Dogs Trust? One of the membership benefits is 24 hour telephone advice from a vet nurse.

>even though they saw him a few days ago, they insist that we make an appointment and bring the dog with us to ask a simple question.

This sounds really awful - I'd change vets in the long-term, if not now. 

With our dogs, I've always been able to phone up and pick up more meds in situations like this.  That's with 3 different practices over the years.  This isn't normal from a vet's practice so I'd suggest you switch. 

Your priority is getting the meds for your dog so he isn't in pain and discomfort.  BOne cancer is horrendously painful.  Can you speak to a different vet at the same practice and explain the situation, or even the practice manager?

>we don't want him suffering

I think there's only one way to stop his suffering I'm afraid With his shoulder collapsing he will be in absolute agony, dogs are very stoic and hide their pain well.

Sadly I agree chamsung . Even if a dog is eating and wagging its tail it's not an indicator  that things are fine.  Horrible position to be in

Are you sure what the receptionist is telling you is correct re HAVING to being the dog in, on appointment etc?    How often do vet's receptionists seem to think their one aim in life is to 'protect' the vet - ie not allowing communication without payment/seeing the dog.   

I can phone mine and even if I don't get him straight away (if it was an emergency I'd be down there with bells on), he always calls me back that day.   You may not want to change vets at the moment, but with this going on (and I'd make sure reception is correct in how they are handling you) I'd be finding another vet.   Since moving West and leaving my super vet back up East (she's since retired but I was even able to speak with her over a situation, terminal, I was having with one of mine, from down here), I have had to switch vets more than once to find a decent one.

My thoughts are with you through this bad situation.

ps  I'd agree with Chaumsong too.

>We haven't been able to speak to the vet because even though they saw him a few days ago, they insist that we make an appointment and bring the dog with us to ask a simple question.

Disgraceful. I feel an official complaint is in order here. Contact your Vets and ask about their Complaints procedure. If you do not get any joy from that then check out these people:

"Veterinary Client Mediation Service (VCMS) is a voluntary, independent and free mediation service for clients whose animals have received veterinary care"

Veterinary Client Mediation Service (VCMS)

Also,

Concerns - We have a responsibility to investigate all concerns raised with us about veterinary surgeons and registered veterinary nurses (RVNs). Whether you are an animal owner, or a veterinary professional, and wish to raise a concern about a vet or a vet nurse, all the information you need is available via the links below.

The Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons - Concerns

And keep notes of conversations and dates . It may not be the time now but at some point I would  want this sorted out especially  if.there are no other vets practises around that could.be used

Good point mambas about receptionist maybe misunderstanding practise protocol.  U never know maybe new and making assumptions?

> Horrible position to be in

It is, my heart goes out to them

as this is only vet you can use I would make an appointment and go in without the dog but with someone at home with mobile phone. offer to show the dog live on phone video so they can still see him  .  I think you will find face to face and paying for an appointment they will sell you the drugs.  dreadful position to be in.

Sadly I agree with. Chaumsong too. Hard as it is it's the last and often kindest thing we can do for them.

My vet will always respond to a phone call. If he can't speak right away he will get back to you the same day. I live right across from the surgery and often see his car there well after closing.