...And Change Again...
Monday, 29. December 2008, 14:17:31
Meka stayed overnight at the Veterinary Emergency and Referral Group here in Brooklyn in order to receive supportive treatment and to be monitored.
After taking a history, the vet had noted that Meka was exhibiting neurological symptoms arising from two distinct areas in the brain, brainstem and cerebellar regions.
We could not recall any reason to believe that he had ingested anything toxic, nor had he suffered any trauma.
They did blood work and x-rays which were essentially normal and unremarkable.
After determining that the facility was fully staffed throughout the night and that his neurological status would be monitored throughout the night and could receive treatment as necessary, reluctantly agreed to have him stay.
I checked in by phone for updates at least five times between getting home and 5 AM. My sleep was disrupted, so I did some computer research on his symptoms, which tends to give me some sense of control, however tenuous and spurious.
The reports varied from "somewhat worse" to "more or less the same" to "somewhat better" throughout the night but all the staff I spoke to agreed that he was "sweet" and that when offered food, would eat (that's my boy!!).
Later in the morning, I had just picked up the phone and was just about to call to check in again and to say that we would be coming in to see how he was and what our next step would be, when the phone rang. It was one of the vets from VERG who told me that Meka was doing much better; that he was walking and moving more normally, was wagging his tail, seemed in good spirits, obeyed commands. He stated that he would like to discharge Meka this afternoon!
So, at about 4PM on the 27th of December, we went to collect Meka.
As I waited for a staff member to open accessible entrance door, I turned my wheelchair around and there was Meka, returning from a walk with a vet tech.
I don't know who was more pleased or excited!
We completed all the necessary debriefing; his IV catheters were removed; follow-up appointment made and we were on our way.
After settling him in, I needed to get to church because I was due to act as Lector at 5:30 PM Mass. Having done that, and answering lots of questions as to Meka's whereabouts both in church and on the way there and back, I arrived home to find David taking the photo below.
As you can see from the picture, he doesn't look quite his ebullient self; he's a bit weary looking and has his shaven "cuffs", but is not deterred from a good chew on a tennis ball.
We're due for a follow-up on Tues. with the staff surgeon who specializes in neurology.
To quote, Dan George in Little Big Man, "My heart soars like an eagle!"
After taking a history, the vet had noted that Meka was exhibiting neurological symptoms arising from two distinct areas in the brain, brainstem and cerebellar regions.
We could not recall any reason to believe that he had ingested anything toxic, nor had he suffered any trauma.
They did blood work and x-rays which were essentially normal and unremarkable.
After determining that the facility was fully staffed throughout the night and that his neurological status would be monitored throughout the night and could receive treatment as necessary, reluctantly agreed to have him stay.
I checked in by phone for updates at least five times between getting home and 5 AM. My sleep was disrupted, so I did some computer research on his symptoms, which tends to give me some sense of control, however tenuous and spurious.
The reports varied from "somewhat worse" to "more or less the same" to "somewhat better" throughout the night but all the staff I spoke to agreed that he was "sweet" and that when offered food, would eat (that's my boy!!).
Later in the morning, I had just picked up the phone and was just about to call to check in again and to say that we would be coming in to see how he was and what our next step would be, when the phone rang. It was one of the vets from VERG who told me that Meka was doing much better; that he was walking and moving more normally, was wagging his tail, seemed in good spirits, obeyed commands. He stated that he would like to discharge Meka this afternoon!
So, at about 4PM on the 27th of December, we went to collect Meka.
As I waited for a staff member to open accessible entrance door, I turned my wheelchair around and there was Meka, returning from a walk with a vet tech.
I don't know who was more pleased or excited!
We completed all the necessary debriefing; his IV catheters were removed; follow-up appointment made and we were on our way.
After settling him in, I needed to get to church because I was due to act as Lector at 5:30 PM Mass. Having done that, and answering lots of questions as to Meka's whereabouts both in church and on the way there and back, I arrived home to find David taking the photo below.
As you can see from the picture, he doesn't look quite his ebullient self; he's a bit weary looking and has his shaven "cuffs", but is not deterred from a good chew on a tennis ball.
We're due for a follow-up on Tues. with the staff surgeon who specializes in neurology.
To quote, Dan George in Little Big Man, "My heart soars like an eagle!"
WIDGETIZE