The vet said he doing good and is encouraged! His albumin levels are 1.9. He was 1.8 last Tuesday morning. So he has maintained it for the past week. She will see him again next Monday. He will cough maybe once a day, just slightly. I asked her about that and she said his lungs and heart sounded good. She thought either his throat was slightly irritated from being intubated during his procedure last Monday, or possibly he still had a tiny bit of fluid still in his lungs (he had a small amount in his lungs after the procedure last Monday). I asked if he still could be leaking fluid and she said generally, they only leak if their albumin level is 1.5 or lower, so she didn't think so. If he continues to respond to treatment, she will switch his food from Purina EN to a novel protein diet. She hadn't yet decided what it would be. And, again if he continues to respond, she also hopes to eventually either eliminate the steroids or reduce the amount. He weighed 7.1 lbs this morning. He doesn't look skinny, but his spine is easier to feel the past few weeks. In the past week, I can also feel his pelvic bone on his bottom. I think the loss of muscle mass is due to the disease, but she said it is also a side effect of the steroids. Last week, she said not to give him more than 1/2 can of food a day. Since he is so hungry, he can have a bit more now. His poop is not normal, but is so much better. I noticed this morning, it had a tiny bit of blood tinge to it. A reminder it's probably raw in his intestines. He's acting really happy and active. He had a bath yesterday, so he's not stinky anymore! |