goodnight moon

Saturday, June 30

I'm very happy to report that the decongestant is a success.  We've had a couple of restful nights.  I was pleased that even though we spent yesterday traveling to a family gathering with lots of new people and small children the stress of that event didn't seem to set Milo back with his health.

One thing I'm noticing is that in the small increments in which Milo is gaining and stamina, more and more of his true personality is coming out.  Leo is picking up on this subtle transition and is getting a little more jealous and now that Milo has discovered the thrill of a chew stick is getting a bit competitive for "the good one".  Because you know if there are 5 of them there is only ONE good one!  There was even a small growl between them - before my more meaningful growl won the match.  This all is good stuff, for it means that Milo is starting to show his true self and feeling well enough to do so!

Leo will be thrilled when Milo can play and romp and wrestle with him.  Not yet, but hopefully sometime during the next few weeks!

Oh!  And we forgot to do develop a strategy for fireworks potty time tonight.  Leo and Sabrina are fine with them - Leo wants to go "get" them.  Milo just wants to stick close to me.  We'll be making a 2 am trip out when it is quiet for that one last tinkle.

Looking forward to another restful night.  This time with all the windows shut and the air on to block the noise from the neighbors who apparently went to Wisconsin for their illegal fireworks.

clean up crew

Milo did his part at a family gathering for clean up.  He loves the 1 year old for leftovers!

Life of a foster "sibling"

Our house guest Milo is Leo's first experience with sharing his world with a foster sibling.  To say that Leo's world has been rocked is an understatement.  He's confused by having to share his house, car, crate and owner.

Both Leo and Sabrina have been very forgiving of Milo as if they sense he needs extra care and help.  Leo sporadically forgets that Milo is not strong and can't wrestle but he settles right down when I tell him that he needs to be careful of Milo.  Each day Leo is testing to see if today might be the day when Milo wants a good game of chase or fetch with a squeaky toy.

Sabrina, the epitome of the word bitch on a normal day, seems to understand that all but the most grievous errors of etiquette such as fully stepping on her are to be excused where Milo is concerned.  This is a great effort for her, but she does seem to get that he is needy.  


Both Leo and Sabrina were former foster dogs with me so they should be empathetic to Milo's situation although neither one had anything near his health issues, they each were strays.  I'm glad that they are somewhat empathetic to Milo.  I'm trying to take some time with each one of them to give them special time.  Leo went to obedience tonight and had a great time.  Both dogs have worked livestock a lot over the last couple of weeks - perhaps the greatest reward from their perspective.  

Plan B

Well, we tried antihistamine last night.  No go.  Lots of coughing several times during the night.  Darn.

So... our vet has put Milo back onto the the decongestant he was on previously.  This is a decongestant, cough suppressant and anti-inflammatory.   As Milo is crated at night in our room this coughing is definitely not exertion induced.

How difficult to try to treat something when we aren't sure of the cause!  There are so many possibilities at the moment.  Is due from the neck abscess?  If so, is there tracheal damage?  Is it from the monocytosis?  Are his sinuses draining into his throat?  At least we've sort of ruled out allergies since the antihistamine was ineffective.  Tough job for a vet to try to figure this out when you can't ask the patient questions!

Why the long face? 

And if you consider the size of nose for drippage - those are some SERIOUS sinuses if they are draining down the back of his throat!

Hoping for a peaceful and quiet night tonight.  I need sleep.  And so does Milo.  Poor kid.

Pictures from the inside

Report from vet visit on Tuesday, June 26.  Summarized by foster person to Dr. Ryan Speltz and MWCR: 

This is my understanding of Milo's vet visit yesterday for x-rays of his chest in response to the continued coughing and exertion induced wheezing he's experienced.   

The x-rays showed that the lungs were clear of tumors and parasites although the bronchi were enlarged, you feel that this may be due to Milo's emaciated body condition.  

The issue appears to be at the tracheal area where his neck abscess originated.  Although originally reported to be the size of a soft ball, the area has reduced to the size of about a half dollar but contains hard scar tissue which seems to run very deep and may possibly be impeding the airway slightly upon exertion.  What is unknown is whether the issue might be improved with the use of antihistamine or with a decongestant.  What we do know is that stress exacerbates this condition with a series of wheezing/coughing - as evidenced from 4 am through 5 am this morning(!) following his day at the vet clinic.  

You had mentioned that a radiologist might glean more from the rads as the area in question is blocked from view by the scar tissue and a more trained eye may be able to provide more information.  I am unsure whether you were going to pursue this course of action or if the rescue needs to approve that action.  

You reported that his skin is looking good and ears are much improved.  Eyes seem to be a bit goopy, but it was decided to see where that goes as he has been on eye meds for several weeks.  

I've reported to you that Milo's drinking water becomes discolored after he drinks.  The other dogs will not drink from a bowl once he has, which tells me that there is some nasty stuff going on in his mouth.  Having been through this with Persy, my sense is that once Milo has completed the treatment of antibiotics in a week or so, his teeth issue will present and most likely compromise his health gains by abscessing.  Several dead teeth with that much infection in his neck, ears and eyes indicate to me that there will be a problem with those teeth.  I think it would be prudent to deal with that issue before it becomes an emergency.  

Milo has gained nearly 2 lbs which is very good.  

I know you reported that his personality seems happy and affectionate which is what I have found as well.  He's a very sweet guy for having been so very neglected for so long. 

I'm going to give Milo Benedryl at bedtime to see if he (and the rest of us!) can get a good night's rest. 

Please feel free to correct and expand on my report!

******************
Notes on summary from Dr. Speltz:

I really would like to see if 2 - 25mg Benadryl help him with the cough.  We also know the cough is not related at this point also to infection while he is on meds of antibiotics too and its not responsive in the area of the cough with them.  This leaves me to believe his lab work monocytosis and cough is due also to the neck abcess that is healing but slowly and maybe the teeth but that might be a stretch.  The nonvital upper canines we will recommend removal at later time point if the board allows and his health continues to impove.

Overall the good news is the chest is clear, he is gaining weight, I LOVE his new attitude and personality showing and look forward to see how the cough does as well as what the body continue to strengthen and return to normal state over the next two months.

what a difference a day makes

WARNING: Graphic images!

Below are photos from June 7 - the day Milo arrived at Skyline Veterinary Hospital  and these are the photos which they took of Milo during his prescribed shave down and assessment.  They are graphic, but they demonstrate the urgency of his need for care when he arrived there.

These two are close up of the infected ear and neck abscess areas.  Notice that there are live ticks still clinging to him and crawling around on him.  

Minus 3 lbs of matted and tick infested fur.  The red sores are from where the nests of ticks had been located.  

 The staff did a fantastic job of shaving Milo and getting him cleaned up.  It was not a job for the faint of heart!  I've seen shave jobs where the dog was totally razor-burned, but Milo was done very well.  Great job in helping this dog!

weekend summary

this really sums it all up

Saturday

Sunday morning.....