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Sunday, July 12, 2015

Concern and a bad night

Leo improved over the week in some ways, although his elbow is raw and his ankle seems to be getting worse. He's having a more trouble getting up - L can't get him to stand on his own, and he sometimes does the Bambi-on-ice. Even the doctors are concerned, and yesterday's developments didn't help.

He sprung another leak on the same side, this time up by his shoulder. It was another abscess, this one deep, but not as large. However, it's another pocket, more avenues for infection on an already weakened immune system.

We were scheduled to see Dr. C at VERG to discuss treatment, but they instead spend time on his shoulder. That got cleaned (and shaved), and we got a new suite of meds and drugs, including Tramadol, for pain. For the first time, she said that there's not much more they can do. We decided to reduce his prednisone to see if we can relieve some of these symptoms (weakness, swelling) over the last little bit here - it likely won't make a difference, but we'll see. And of course, now that he has another abscess, moving him and watching for signs of infection are important.

When we left, he was bandaged all the way down his leg and was hobbling badly. His shoulder was obviously sore, and his opposite rear is swollen - he was having a hard time. By late evening, he wouldn't walk. I carried him outside for the bathroom, and had to help him up the single step to my door and carried him to my apartment. I thought this was it.

He improved overnight - whether it's the pain meds, or the antibiotics, or loosening the wrap on his front leg, but by morning he was walking. By late afternoon today he's moving better, chasing Bally.

He's still got fight, but these things breaking down aren't good. Whether he can continue to fight  - and whether he will, and for how much longer - is a question.

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