Getting Better!

Zephyr is doing great today!  His energy is up, he was playful this morning and when I checked on him at lunch.  He's had two days of good meals.  This is so funny I have to share it.  After his dinner he went out to go potty, his first poop in two and a half days.  When he was done he was so happy the next thing I know he's running right at me!  I grabbed him because he was heading for the stairs, he ended up darting up them anyway.  When we got on the deck we played a little.  Then I put him back on leash and let Astro out.  They had a romping mouthing session that almost got out of control.  At one point Zephyr bounced over Astro.  :-)  I calmed it down after that.  Then Astro decided it was time to zoom around the yard.  Zephyr was so ready to go!  I had to hold him back as he barked it up watching Astro zoom around for a few minutes.  Then I took him down the stairs to the yard and he proceeded to drag me around wanting to go run and play.  I didn't let this go on too long, I didn't want him to over do it, which he always has tendency to do anyway.  When we headed back up the stairs he went so fast I dropped the leash because I couldn't keep up.  Woo Hoo!  Now he is sound asleep again hopefully doing lots of healing.

Here's the guy right after coming home on Wednesday.  He lost about 8 pounds and he's supposed to stay warm, so I've been obsessively putting blankets on him and making him wear his coats (double wrapped in the morning and night).  In fact he looks very similar to this picture right now.  :-)

This is a little later on Wednesday.  Too tired to stand up, but not too tired to get in a little play time with brother.

Can you tell comfort is important in this house?  This was Thursday.  See his battle wounds on his arms?  His belly is shaved too.  At first I thought about having Astro stay with my parents for a few days when Zephyr came home.  I thought maybe he would be too rowdy and cause trouble while Zephyr was in his crate when I was gone.  I'm so glad I didn't.  They were so happy to see each other!!  Astro has been great.  Today was the first time in over five days he's ran around outside and he hasn't even been able to go for a walk.  Poor guy.  Normally two days pushes him over the edge.  I think he knows Zephyr is sick, I swear he's even been a little more protective of the house and yard.  I know it has really helped Zephyr to have Astro with him.

Zephyr Is Home

I brought Zephyr home on Wednesday.  His progress continued and on Tuesday he could walk and support his weight, his vision improved, and he could eat and drink on his own.  On Weds. he was even better and he came home.  The drive from Phoenix was easy, he just slept the whole time.  When we got home I went in the house to put Astro outside and came back out to find Zephyr in the front seat.  :-)  I think he was happier to see Astro than me, he wanted to play with him and I let them do some mouthing.  He was still wobbly and had some of the neurological symptoms.  I had to lift him up the stairs to the door.  Luckily I got a Help-Em-Up harness, it has really helped.  His walking steadily improved and he's able to carefully do the stairs now.  He still gets a little off balance and the tile is slippery for him.  I am with him when ever he's walking though and he hardly needs help from the harness now.  I've put rugs all over the tile and have an xpen to keep him on the area rug in the living room.  He isn't turning toward the right as much, but he does still tend to bump into things.  It's like his depth perception is off, he has a hard time judging how close things are maybe.  It's been a week since he's had any seizures, which is great, he is still taking phenobarbital though.  He has been really tired and sleeping a lot, he doesn't like to be up for more than 30 minutes or so, but when he has been awake he has good energy and even wants to play and chase ravens.  He has been very hungry, he lost about 8 pounds.  I've been trying to let him eat a lot while keeping the diet bland because he has been having soft stools.  He's taking lots of medicines, three antibiotics, etc., so that is probably contributing to his soft stools.  So, overall he has made really good progress, and I am so happy to have him home.

Now, after all of the great progress, today has been hard for Zephyr.  Last Friday he started the chemotherapy drug Lomustine, CCNU.  This was because it looks like it's an autoimmune response that caused the encephalitis and the CCNU will suppress the immune system and reduce the inflammation.  About a week later, now, is when the effect of the CCNU is at it's peak and his white blood cell count is lowest.  They monitor how low the white blood cell count drops and I took him for blood work yesterday.  Yesterday I noticed that his energy level wasn't as high and today he has a fever (103 -104), no energy, won't eat, and has a small cough.  This morning I called the neurologist to let her know what was going on and then the vet who did the blood draw yesterday called to say his level was very low, WBC is 0.9 (usually 5) and neutrophils? 72 (usually 2,000) .  When it's so low infection will just develop even if they aren't exposed to anything, although it might not be an infection that's causing the fever.  After the two Dr.s talked I took him in for a change in antibiotics and to add another one.  I have fluids to give him subcutaneously to help him get past the fever, etc., and because one of the new antibiotics can damage the kidney if he doesn't drink enough water.  We also wanted to make sure he had energy so I made a food puree to squirt on his tongue and I was able to give him almost three cups.  The neurologist talked to the oncologist to confirm all this.  They say that with this type of treatment it will often pass after about 24 hours.  If it doesn't get better he might have to go in to the hospital for IV antibiotic and fluids.  I'm hoping that with everything I'm doing at home that will not happen.  

I didn't hesitate to call this morning though because I didn't want to risk anything.  I have to say our neurologist, Dr. Kim Knowles at the Veterinary Neurology Center, is great.  She's stayed late, come in on weekends, looked up things about greyhounds, gave me her personal number, talked with the oncologist, etc.  I try to stay calm and not worry too much, which is a challenge.  He was doing so well, I hope and think he will continue to recover.

Update

First, I really want to thank everyone for all of the wonderful comments!!  It has really helped me stay positive and to not feel so alone.  It was so nice to read them all.  And, I've told Zephyr that so many people and pups are thinking of him and hoping for his recovery. 

Zephyr has made progress in the past two days.  On Friday he had about 5 seizures, was totally out, and I thought I was going to loose him.  On Saturday he was barely aware, could hardly wake up, and couldn't see.  Sunday was some improvement in all areas.  Today he was able to push himself into a stand, but he needs support and guidance to stay up and walk.  He is very disoriented and his coordination is poor.  His vision is still poor, but he can see and track objects and he can definitely tell when I come and go.  I took Astro with me to see him on Saturday and Sunday because she said that would help him stay stimulated and motivate him.  I definitely think it helped.  They have been using a Help-em-Up harness that goes around his chest and rear and has handles to help him walk.  I got one today for when he comes home.  He is able to eat on his own now while he's laying down and propped up.  I brought in some beef and kibble puree that I made, some cooked ground beef, boiled chicken breast, and kibble for him to have plus what they have.  His appetite is great, apparently the phenobarbital and steroids make them very hungry.  Unfortunately, this afternoon he had some blood in his stool which the Dr. said is from the steroids.  So, he has to stop the steroids for a day or so.  That's unfortunate because the steroids help with the inflammation.  He is very frustrated with the situation.  They told me that often the animals get upset because they are confused, etc., because the brain has been injured and they can't do what they want.  Also, Zephyr has separation anxiety and is very vocal when he is not happy about things, and he's just a vocal guy anyway.  So, he's being very vocal about his dislike of the entire situation and I'm sure it's driving them nuts sometimes.  It kills me though because when I leave he gets upset.  The Vet Techs there are great.  Someone is there 24 hours.  I know they sit with them when they can.  So far he's been the only dog staying overnight.  His kennel area is large, plenty of room for him and a few people, and they have put nice big pads on the whole floor with blankets and pillows.  If he continues to progress he might come home on Wednesday.  Whenever he comes home he will still have lots of healing and recovering to do.  I need to adjust things in the house to make sure it's safe for him to walk around.  Probably build a ramp over stairs off the back deck.  The Dr. said it could be 3 weeks of recovery if things go well.  Mainly his brain needs to recover and heal.  Luckily he is a young strong boy.  I am just trying to stay positive and focused, but being ready for anything to happen.  I am exhausted.  We don't know what might have caused this.  From the MRI, blood work, etc., the Dr. said it's likely some kind of auto immune response.  I'll try to keep updating.

Thanks again for all your support.  This week I've been reminded again of the second best thing about having a dog, all of the great friends you make.

Not Good

I've found out that Zephyr has encephalitis (swelling in the brain).  On Thursday I took him to the veterinary neurology center in Phoenix because of symptoms he was showing.  It looks like it is not caused by an infection based on MRI, blood work, etc.  But she wasn't able to get spinal fluid because of concern about the amount of inflammation, that would confirm an infection.  He was given steroids to reduce inflammation. He did really well the first night, but started having seizures about 5 or 6 Friday morning.  He had many seizures yesterday.  Something had to be done so he started on chemotherapy yesterday about 5:30 p.m.  That reduces the inflammation, but it is a risk if he does have some kind of infection.  Today the only seizure was about 4 a.m. unless he's had one since I left about 4:30 p.m.  Today he could barely wake up and he can't stand.  He can take some water and chicken puree when it's squirted on his tongue.  And once he got really upset and was barking, howling/crying out, and kicking his front legs.  I was holding him then.  The Dr. said that's likely from his brain trying to "reboot" and his confusion, maybe from coming out of the sedation and seizure medicine, etc.  I don't know how this will turn out.  Sorry I can't give more information now, but I just wanted to let you all know.  Needless to say I am extremely scared.  This is a huge shock.  If you would keep Zephyr in your thoughts and prayers I would really appreciate it.

We Are Stylish

Last week I was awarded the Stylish Blogger Award by This is Lauren (and Greyhounds!).  I've seen some of these blog awards but this is the first time my blog has received one, so I'm pretty excited.  Thanks to Lauren and Bernie!

To accept the award I have to give eight facts about myself and then pass the award on to eight other blogs.  So, here we go.

1.  My first dog was a Doberman, Bandit, that we had when I was a kid.  I did a lot of hiking/walking with him too.  I once told him "sick um" when some kids where bullying me (we were in my fenced yard and the kids on the other side), he scared them away.  :-)

2.  My first cats were Siamese, Tom and Molly.  Tom would sleep with me and sometimes I'd wake up with him laying across my neck.

3.  After having short hair for well over 10 years I'm letting it grow and it's a little past my shoulders now.

4.  Zephyr was the first dog I had as an adult and the first dog I've trained.  Poor boy!

5.  I've never been to Europe, but hope I get there one day.

6.  I've been to Australia three times, and hope I get to go back someday.

7.  I'd like to live somewhere else besides Arizona someday.

8.  I really like ice cream.

Here are the eight + 1 blogs that I'm giving the Stylish Blogger Award to.

1.  Graceful Greyhounds
2.  The 'splorin" Wolfies
3.  Aragon Greyhounds
4.  Jet's Furkid Palace
5.  Never Say Never Greyhounds
6.  A Dog's Journey
7.  Sweetheart's Story
8.  A Dog Blog
9.  Tales and Tails