May 16, 2016

Rocco

You can see the growth on the left cheek.

Giving Rocco the double dose of Rimadul is helping. I really think Rocco is feeling better overall. He is eating more, seems more playful, and seems to be more energetic. So happy about that! But other areas seem to be decling. <sad face>

I have been trying to feed him more so he can gain some of his weight back. Not that he is too skinny, but I can feel all his ribs and spine – where before you could, but they were not so obvious. Anyway, the vet said to feed him more, and fatten him up a bit. So we are doing that! I give him half a can of wet food with his medicine crushed into a powder on top of the food. Mix it up a little. So he eats that. Then I give him a little Freshpet refrigerated chicken soft food and real boiled chicken, topped with turkey gravy! Oh my gosh, he loves it! For snacks, I give him cottage cheese with pumpkin stirred in, or doggie ice cream, rice pudding, or whatever else I can think of.  My husband brings him burgers every few days as a treat and of course Rocco devours those!

We’ve been going for out walks like normal. He seems to have trouble seeing things right in front of him. I am not sure if now the other eye is having problems or if its just his depth perception and he isn’t paying attention. But he has almost run into fire hydrants, mailboxes, etc. So I now use the leash to guide him along the sidewalk and warn him of an obstruction. He seems fine with it – hasn’t hurt himself, but I don’t want him crashing into things – that’s embarrassing for him! I took him to the carwash and he had a great time there. Got to talk to some of the guys who work there (there are many dog lovers), and check out some new smells.

He has been sleeping well, but has been having more tremors. They usually happen in the middle of the night, or very early in the morning. The vet said it could be many things causing them. He could be cold, he could be in pain, having anxiety, or it could be the start of kidney problems, or Addisons. The vet thinks it is probably pain. But he could also be cold. We dont keep our room super warm. So if he starts shaking, I cover him up and that seems to help. I am not sure if its the blanket helping, or if the mommy love makes him forget about whatever is hurting. Regardless, for now, covering him up and cuddling seems to help.

My poor little guy. I hate that he is suffering.