Pumpkin 4 weeks on
It's now 4 weeks since we started worrying about Pumpkin. Things looked grim, then better, then better beyond hope... But we may be coming into the last chapter now.
A week ago Pumpkin had his 4th of a course of Cartrophen injections. At that point he was doing really well - he was perky and curious, and able to stay on his feet most of the time. He'd tip over in his excitement to be near us, and drag himself to get closer if we didn't pick him up and carry him, but this no longer seemed to worry him. He'd adapted perfectly and we all settled with relief into this unexpected gift of a new and sustainable normal.
A few days ago though he started to seem a little flat. His whiskers told the story. He had mucky eye discharge (not his usual watery dark tears), and was less inclined to drag himself any distance. He then started to falter more and more consistently even when walking quietly around the house. He once more stops abruptly in random locations and just stays there. He's still keen on his food, which is good, although without quite the usual extreme enthusiasm for the special smelly tins I've been feeding him lately.
The milestone for today was to see if he was managing as well as he had been last week, and if so to reduce his steroids down to one dose per day. Steroids do wonders but they also do damage - finding the minimum dose for ongoing functionality is vital. Unfortunately he failed this particular test and when I spoke to the vet on the phone she said to continue him at the current rate. There was no talk of increasing the dose - he's already been on the maximum for three weeks.
The vet said there's still a chance he might rally, but it would be only a temporary reprieve; our borrowed time is running out. There's nothing we can do for him now but watch carefully and choose the time of his ending with wisdom and compassion.
A week ago Pumpkin had his 4th of a course of Cartrophen injections. At that point he was doing really well - he was perky and curious, and able to stay on his feet most of the time. He'd tip over in his excitement to be near us, and drag himself to get closer if we didn't pick him up and carry him, but this no longer seemed to worry him. He'd adapted perfectly and we all settled with relief into this unexpected gift of a new and sustainable normal.
A few days ago though he started to seem a little flat. His whiskers told the story. He had mucky eye discharge (not his usual watery dark tears), and was less inclined to drag himself any distance. He then started to falter more and more consistently even when walking quietly around the house. He once more stops abruptly in random locations and just stays there. He's still keen on his food, which is good, although without quite the usual extreme enthusiasm for the special smelly tins I've been feeding him lately.
The milestone for today was to see if he was managing as well as he had been last week, and if so to reduce his steroids down to one dose per day. Steroids do wonders but they also do damage - finding the minimum dose for ongoing functionality is vital. Unfortunately he failed this particular test and when I spoke to the vet on the phone she said to continue him at the current rate. There was no talk of increasing the dose - he's already been on the maximum for three weeks.
The vet said there's still a chance he might rally, but it would be only a temporary reprieve; our borrowed time is running out. There's nothing we can do for him now but watch carefully and choose the time of his ending with wisdom and compassion.