Lots of Rest

Zephyr did a great job of getting better this past week.  He started to really gain energy and strength.  He was having some trouble peeing, it was hard for him to get things going, but that's improved a lot.  The neurological symptoms are basically gone, virtually no visible symptoms at least.  His balance and coordination have really improved.  He still slips a little, can trip on things, and can make a mistake going down the stairs.  These things seem to happen especially when he is tired or loopy from the phenobarbital.  He's on a schedule to reduce and hopefully eliminate the phenobarbital.  He's gotten to the point where he really wants to play and has even trotted, and galloped in the yard.  His gait and body is a little off when he gallops/runs. I'm having to be very careful that he doesn't overdo it.  I've let him and Astro play some and a little in the yard, but as is typical for Zephyr he wants to go all out and get too rowdy so I have to reign him in.  :-)  He's also enjoyed barking at neighbors and passers by, chasing a few ravens, and had a couple visitors yesterday and today who were probably surprised to see the little beast bouncing around and me trying to hold him back.  Zephyr has his own little pharmacy going on too.  He doesn't seem to mind since the pills are being wrapped in Muenster cheese (it's soft enough to wrap around and stick to the pills).  He also gets cooked chicken or beef with his meals which seems to be working out nicely for him.  Astro and the three kitties think all these bonuses are pretty good too.  I'm starting to take him on short slow walks.  Today the Dr. said maybe another month of recovering.  I don't want to take any risks and he still gets tired fast and needs lots of rest to heal. 

I took him for more blood work Friday and his WBC count is at 3,500 (normal 7,000) now and everything else looks good.  He's also gained four pounds since last Friday.  He's started taking prednisone again today.  That's also to suppress any inflammation.  He'll have 1 or 2 more rounds of the chemotherapy medicine, Lomustine (CCNU).  His next dose won't be has high since they know how low his WBC level dropped.

So, Zephyr seems to be doing great so far.  I still have questions for the Dr. about what might happen in the future.  She was pretty positive when this all started, saying that often there is recovery without permanent damage.  We've just been focused on getting him on to his recovery, so we haven't talked much about that lately.  It is really hard to not constantly worry and fuss over everything I notice. 

I feel very lucky to have him right now.  I've heard a few stories of friends losing their young healthy dogs in a matter of hours, one was just right before Zephyr got sick.  He's doing an excellent job, I'm really proud of him.