This Week in Benjaminity
Another exciting and stressful week here in the continuing saga of Benjamin.
Since my last update Benjamin stopped eating entirely. Soon thereafter he pretty much hunkered down in any quiet, protected place he could find (under the futon in the living room, and in the closet in the bedroom being the two favorites) and didn't move much.
Once again, we thought that this was the end. He was now showing both of the signs that are vet warned us were indicative of "time to go." He didn't appear to be in pain, and wasn't suffering from seizures, so we decided to watch him for a couple of days to see if he recovered. But he didn't. We had to start subcutaneous fluids again because he was dehydrating, and there didn't look to be any improvement. By Tuesday night the only reason we weren't making arrangements to have him euthanized on Wednesday was because he didn't appear to be in pain (mostly he just slept), and Sophie wouldn't be able to be there for the euthanasia on Wednesday due to her teaching schedule.
So Wednesday morning, out of desperation, I decided to try syringe feeding him. I pureed up some sardines in olive oil, cat sip, and a vitamin supplement that we had gotten from the vet. I gave him 4 ccs via syringe before I left to go run errands.
The results were astonishing.
By the time I got home Benjamin was up, alert, and interested in being petted. Sophie actually found him lounging in the driveway when she got home. I continued the feedings and upped the amount to 6 cc. By Thursday he was actually eating small amounts of regular food, his breathing had improved, and he was well enough to go out regularly, get on the bed occasionally, and demand to be petted whenever he damned well pleased.
Needless to say Sophie and I were quite pleased.