Diagnosis
The lab results came back; he has liver carcinoma that sounds pretty advanced. They also found carcinoma cells in his abdominal fluids. Astonishingly, there is still hope that the medication can reverse this. We will know by next weekend.
We're switching his NSAID to a low-dose steroid, which should keep him as comfortable but not be as hard on his stomach, while hopefully not having the side effects steroids tend to. This is pretty key as if the medication does work he is going to need to keep eating and drinking to fuel everything. He also may get secondary infections if the cancer starts to die off, so getting his weight back up gives him a helpful buffer.
Meanwhile, today has been his best day yet since he got sick. A short morning walk where he tried to tug me down the hill again. A lot of bouncy happy affect when someone came by, and when we took him in to the vet. He's eating more eagerly and has even taken to looking hopefully around the kitchen for scraps when I'm fixing him a bowl. He will go to the door when he wants to go outside, unprompted. This is really good to see, and while I'm aware it may be all meds and a temporary effect, I'm devoutly grateful that we're getting some time with him where he's being himself, and is able to go through his ordinary happy routine. He still tires out easily but he's clearly feeling much better right now.
We're switching his NSAID to a low-dose steroid, which should keep him as comfortable but not be as hard on his stomach, while hopefully not having the side effects steroids tend to. This is pretty key as if the medication does work he is going to need to keep eating and drinking to fuel everything. He also may get secondary infections if the cancer starts to die off, so getting his weight back up gives him a helpful buffer.
Meanwhile, today has been his best day yet since he got sick. A short morning walk where he tried to tug me down the hill again. A lot of bouncy happy affect when someone came by, and when we took him in to the vet. He's eating more eagerly and has even taken to looking hopefully around the kitchen for scraps when I'm fixing him a bowl. He will go to the door when he wants to go outside, unprompted. This is really good to see, and while I'm aware it may be all meds and a temporary effect, I'm devoutly grateful that we're getting some time with him where he's being himself, and is able to go through his ordinary happy routine. He still tires out easily but he's clearly feeling much better right now.