Dog Diaries: Hooper / Update

Fever seems to be down but I don't have a digital thermometer to check it. She is more alert and eats sometimes but the antibiotic messes with her appetite. I can get her to eat before giving a dose but not after until next dose is due. This morning the neurological problems were severe. She tried to get up to go outside but wasn't able and urinated on the floor where she lay. I lifted her up and she tried to walk to the garage wobbling like a drunk. She bumped into walls and seemed very confused. There is occasional heavy breathing which might indicate pain despite the Tramadol I'm giving three times a day. I guess we will give her the weekend then decide if it is more humane to let her go, and we'll decide about Tag at that time also. His health is good but he is wandering aimlessly in circles, stumbling and losing control of bodily functions.

Afternoon update:

Hoop's doctor wants to try giving her an anti-inflammatory for the weekend - 50 mg Novox (Carprofen) twice a day - to see if pain is contributing to her difficulty walking or inflammation. Anti-inflammatories are quite hard on the kidneys but since her kidneys have been quite stable for the last couple years, a few days of the medication will not likely hurt. She is sleeping most of the time but her eyes are bright when she's awake. She tried to walk up the steps from garage to house but collapsed. Just trying was an improvement though.

Tux's blood work: Her liver values are good. ALT, which indicates liver damage and was slightly elevated at the last test, is now normal. ALP, however, is mildly elevated but is probably of no concern right now. Results will be sent to her doctor in Arizona who may have a different spin on it in light of her experience with Valley Fever.

And lastly, just when we were thinking the worst about Tag's condition he did something quite remarkable. He herded the ducks into their pen with me! The herding instinct must be very strong in Border Collies, even geriatric ones with cognitive disfunction.