Dylan July 2012

Dylan Update

5.8.2012: Despite our worst fears Dylan has rallied a little today. He did little but sleep when he came home yesterday and we were preparing to make the dreaded call this morning but he has amazed us once again. He has eaten little bits and pieces, had a dish of cat milk (a previously banned substance!), had a good wash and a stretch on his scratch post. He then came downstairs and stood by the kitchen door miaowing to be taken for a walk! Luckily the rain held off long enough for this.I didn't bother to put his harness on as he is so poorly now but on our way back indoors he suddenly darted under a tree and a surprised squirrel made a quick getaway up the trunk!  My boy still has a little zest for life. Still I think it took it out of him as he is now sleeping soundly on mum's bed. But he has had a good day and that is all we can hope for now. 

Dylan Update

4.8.2012: Dylan has remained quite poorly so after a discussion with Stuart, my vet, he was admitted for fluids and antibiotics (he has another temperature) on Wednesday morning. He had a stormy course; not eating much and obviously not happy. He wouldn't leave the drip alone so they had to put a buster collar on him which he hated. When I visited he was miserable and kept on crying at me to let him come home.His temperature was very high at one point (over 40 degrees) and the antibiotics don't seem to touch it. Unfortunately, temperature spikes are one of the features of FIP. After talking to Stuart this morning he felt there was not much more they could offer him and we have brought him home so that we can give him some TLC. He says we can ring every day to discuss his progress so that we can decide together when Dylan has had enough and it's time to let him go. Suddenly it's all very real and there are no words.

Dylan's Progress

31.7.2012: Dylan has had a very stormy course over the last few days. By Monday he was refusing all food. just sleeping on the bed; paw covered over his eyes as if to shut out the world. All our attempts at coaxing him to eat were in vain.  By the afternoon we were beginning to think this was the end and I was due to make an appointment for the vets today. But miraculously, around 6.00pm he trotted downstairs and up to the kitchen door waiting to be taken for his walk. Luckily it was still quite warm out so I took him into the garden for a while. When he came back he decided he would eat after all and although he's only had small quantities it's an improvement on the last two days. I even tried him with some warmed, pureed baby food which he obligingly licked off my finger. He even wanted to go out in the run with his sisters in the evening. Then he settled on the settee for the night - just as he normally would. He joined in the evening grooming session and managed a little more food before returning to mum's bedroom, which has become his sanctuary from the girls when they are tearing about. Today he is still very tired and looks poorly now but seems a bit better and even 'cried' at me for food - just like the old days before his illness. We were torturing ourselves yesterday about making the decision to let him go and shed many tears but for the moment I am going to see how he goes. At least if he wants to eat and potter about I know there's a glimmer of hope. It's so hard to know the right thing to do. Up until the minute Stuart told me the disease was in his kidneys I still hoped and prayed he might beat this disease even though I knew it was unlikely, now I know it's just a matter of time. Each day with him is so precious. I dread the day we will have to make the decision to let him go, I can hardly bear thinking about it but I know we have to start to come to terms with it as I can see now it won't be far away and our only hope is a miracle.

Dylan's Latest Crisis

27.7.2012: Dylan has been poorly on and off for the last few days so we were back at the vets this morning. He had actually perked up over night but I wanted him checked out as I knew something was wrong. It turns out he has a high temperature and also when Stuart examined him he felt a strange lump in his tummy. After an ultrasound it turned out to be his kidneys; they have enlarged and are also inflamed; another result of this terrible disease. This explains why he has been drinking more water recently. He has also lost more weight. So he has had injections of anabolic steroids, to try to build him up a little, and antibiotics. Stuart wanted to get a blood test to assess everything but unfortunately Dylan was not co-operative (he still has some fight left in him!) so we have left him be; it would have meant an anaesthetic and it won't really affect his treatment plan. Once we were home Dylan wanted to eat and drink and is now curled up fast asleep, having had a short walk in the garden to check out his domain. Hopefully by tomorrow the antibiotics will have kicked in and he will start to feel better. He is a little trooper.

Dylan's Poorly

thur 26.7.12 Dylan has been quite poorly today ; didn't want to go for his usual morning walk in the garden & has just slept under the bed all day. I know it has been hot today but he still seems much more tired than usual. Didn't wake up for lunch & wouldnt come downstairs. Rang vets but can't get appointment until tomorrow morning. he perked up a little late afternoon & has eaten some chicken & tuna thank goodness. will wait to see what the vet says & just keeping fingers crossed. I know there's not much more to be done for him but need moral support at the moment. it is soul destroying watching my beautiful baby boy fade away before my eyes - I hate this cruel disease.

Dylan & Lola Having a Nap