Spring

Spring is here and it's finally warming up.  Later this week the temperatures are supposed to be in the mid to upper 70's.  And, this combined with longer days has been making everyone feel a little better.  Zephyr has been doing well overall.  He hasn't had any other seizures that I know of.  The week following the seizure he did have a low fever and I could tell his energy was down.  So, he went back on antibiotics and one evening got some fluids to help kick the fever in the butt.  After about three days he was back to normal and has had no other problems.  We're (Dr. Knowles and I) not sure what caused the fever.  I was, and am, very worried that it was not an infection but something related to the autoimmune response that caused the encephalitis.  The whole thing started with him having a fever but not really showing any other signs of an infection like sneezing, discharge, etc.  It's not an exaggeration to say that at some points in the past two weeks I was in a bit of a panic.  I think some of my friends were getting ready to do an intervention.  ;-)  Again I think it's just one of those things that we won't know for sure.  It went away and I just try to be happy for that and not worry, which I'm only successful at half the time.  :-)

I work close enough to home, so I can check on Zephyr when needed.  The week after his seizure a couple times I closed the bedroom doors and put the dog beds by the couch so they would stay in there and I could leave the video camera pointed at him to see if he had a seizure.  The tape only lasts an hour, but nothing showed up.  Yes, I've thought about getting one of those pet cams.  :-)  Dr. Knowles even mentioned it and I think she was only half joking.  She even said she'd take him to work.  Actually, my principal has said it would be okay to do that because she knows how much I worry.  But, Zephyr loves kids, so I'm not sure how much rest he would get and since he's doing well now and I can check on him during the day I think home is best. 

This past Friday I took Zephyr down to see Dr. Knowles and he got his third, and hopefully last, chemotherapy treatment.  She was still very positive about his recovery despite the seizure and fever issues.  I asked how things went for the other dogs she's seen with similar conditions.  She said that one did have seizures afterward and that another is a year out from treatment and doing well.  I didn't ask about bad outcomes and I still haven't asked specifically about long term prognoses for Zephyr.  I'm not sure I want to know.  I don't think knowing would change his treatment and I do know that I would possibly have one more thing to worry about.  Plus, I have a feeling there's just no way to really know an answer to that question.  She did say that he still needs to take it easy because his immune system is compromised from the chemotherapy and encephalitis, and he's still healing.  Towards the end of this week will be the low time for the white blood cells from the chemotherapy.  Last time it went well with him only being tired a few days.  Hopefully, this time will be the same.

"OMG!  This is the best smell ever!"

Before Zephyr had the seizure one day I did take the boys out on a hike and I let them each go off leash, but not at the same time.  Zephyr got a little skippy, but no full on forest running.  Everyone had a great time and these are some pictures from the hike.  I'm still taking Zephyr out on walks, but with the fever thing and now a new round of chemo we're limiting the time.  This doesn't stop them from running and playing in the yard though.  :-)

"I am not running in the forest.  I am just stretching my legs."

"I AM running in the forest!  Full Out!!  Zoom, ..."

"Zoom, ..."

"ZOOM!!"

"So nice, cool, and refreshing and after a good hike."

"I'm going to see how much mud I can splash on my belly and sides."

"Look at me.  I'm just a poor boy who was attacked by a vampire.  I need some lovin."

This picture is not from our hike.  This is Zephyr after his last blood draw.  He got a little worked up and moved while they were sucking blood from his neck, which caused a small hematoma (pocket of blood under skin).  This has happened before a long time ago, I guess they forgot he doesn't like vampires and does better with the leg.  Zephyr was thinkin' that he looked quite fine in all his pastel patterned vet wrap.  He wanted me to take him to the dog park afterward because he thought this could work to his advantage with the girls.  Alas, the poor boy was very disappointed when we headed home.  ;-)