Tragic start to 2016

My January goals were confounded by some unfortunate happenstances:

 

 

Needless to say, I didn’t make my January goals, and February is off to a rocky, late start.

I’m scaling back my goals for the month of February. Here are the objectives:

 

  • lose 5# in February
  • stay within calorie budget for 1 week (7 days straight)
  • ramp up to 10k steps daily 
  • ramp up to 4×5 assisted pullups daily
  • ramp up to 4×5 squats/pushups daily 

 

February is also a great time to plan gardening projects. The man and I are working on some ideas on small scale landscape work for 2016.

 

2/1 Monday

I had a very rough night and I am convinced that we are prolonging Drogo’s life artificially. I dread waking up in the AM because I fear to see him pass in the night. The man and I had some half-sleep conversations of bringing this to the end; we just don’t see any more progress and we don’t his last days to be full of suffering and misery.

Dropped him in his crate, he went #1 in litter. Spent most of the day on the bed.

10a 10mL Hills a/d, 1mL prednisolone

Let him outside in the backyard, he explored the patio between rest breaks. He was definitely alert to the new environment but his energy didn’t allow him to explore his surrounds fully..

Made a few calls, Dr Cowser concurred that PTS was the humane option. We scheduled an appointment at Eldorado Animal Hospital due to distance and affordability.

Drogo was put to the final sleep on Monday afternoon. The procedure was quick and painless, perhaps too abrupt. Many tears were shed as even at the last minutes of his life, Drogo displayed vestiges of his old self, meowing incessantly for reassurance and rolling on his back to allow his tummy to be rubbed.

This was one of the most heartbreaking days of my/our lives.

1/31 Sunday

Drogo exhibited some interest in going outside in the backyard in AM, but was still lethargic and walked with effort. Took a swat at the scratching post early AM but mostly crouched under cat tree or on dog bed.

He favored the Hills Prescription Diet Urgent Care a/d canned food so we have proceeded to feed him all day with it. The thick pate texture is also a plus since there’s little risk of aspirating. To get it into the syringe, we add a few drops of water. With the exception of the corn flour and guar gum, I am pleased with the ingredients of this canned food. It seems that Drogo also has no problems with it as he is receptive to being fed. On one occasion he nibbled it out of the dish, but we still have to syringe feed him since he is not eating enough.

Had a concern that for the afternoon feeding he wet the bed.

2a 10mL formula #2
9:30a 10mL Hills with prednisolone
3p 10mL Hills with orbax
6:30p 10mL Hills
9:30p 10mL Hills with mirtazapine

Observed another incontinence incident on bed. Must call vet ASAP.

Energy: low energy AM/PM, slept most of the day, very low energy PM
Movement: Mobile, requires effort, will move toward bed or cat tree
Tracking: Slow tracking, did not engage in play. Tracked cat teaser wand.
Appetite: Hills a/d diet, formula #2
Attitude: Passive, will lay down next to dogs, tail swishing when petted
Hygiene: Has exhibited some self-grooming, fur matted around ruff, urinary incontinence
Hydration: Derived from syringe feeding

While appetite and nasal problems improved, overall he seems to have deteriorated; his energy seems to have crashed, and his loss of bowel control is disheartening.
I fear he is near the end.

1/30 Saturday – Vet visit

AM feeding #1 10mL with prednisolone dosage.
Took Drogo for fluid drain ~70mL
Prescribed broad spectrum antibiotics Orbax, appetite stimulant Mirtazapine, and Hills Prescription Urgent Care a/d diet canned food. Dr indicated jaundice had progressed.
Drogo was vocal during car rides.
Came home, showed no interest in backyard, sat on chair to sun bathe, drank from big dog bowl.

2nd feeding #2 10 mL @ 3pm, administered with 1ml antibiotic.
Slept on dog bed till 8:30pm feeding 10mL #2, added appetite stimulant .5mL.
10:30p feeding 10mL #2, followed by 1mL prednisolone.
Slow, unsteady at times, hesitated when jumping down. Very tired, lethargic, let him sleep for most of day.

1/29 Friday

Very lethargic and sluggish AM, showed some weakness standing.
Tracked cat teaser, alert to bell sounds.
No appetite for solid foods either dry kibble or Applaws canned.
Sipped at big dog bowl.
Did not seem very strong or alert during first AM feeding.

Came home mid-afternoon to let the crew out. Drogo jumped out of his cage and immediately went outside to explore. Was alert, but had to rest every few minutes. Was vocalizing excitedly, came back to me every once in awhile for reassurance but continued to sniff and explorer. He ventured out as far as the middle of the backyard, then went back inside to have a long drink. Still a little unsteady.

Gave formula #1 10 mL for 3:30p feeding. Rested on bed.
Formula #2 ~8mL @ 5:30p feeding. Kneaded cuddler before settling down.

#1 @ 8pm.
#2 @ midnight. 
Received both dosages of pred am/pm

Energy: Alert for new objects, but low energy AM/PM
Movement: Mobile, requires effort, made passes at scratching post, wandered the kitchen for water
Tracking: Slow tracking, did not engage in play. Tracked cat teaser wand. Almond eyes, pupil dilation/contraction sluggish.
Appetite: Ate some lifesource bits from dry dog kibble, force fed liquid formula #2
Attitude: Passive, lethargic in AM.
Hygiene: Spent 2-3 minutes in the AM grooming himself.
Hydration: Sipped from big bowl, force fed liquid formula #1 & #2.

Man discussed additional treatment options with Dr Cowser, after which we decided to schedule an appointment Saturday AM.