Sometime Saturday, while I was sleeping, Max jumped off my bed and hurt his back. At first I didn't realize that was what had happened. I thought he had eaten something that disagreed with him and had an upset stomach. I didn't twig to what was actually wrong until Sunday. I got him to the vet first thing Monday morning, and she put him on a six day regimen of oral steroids. I'm not sure that will be long enough. He was doing better Tuesday, but then had a bit of a relapse overnight tonight. He's sleeping right now, after an hour of pathetic whimpering and following me around, staring at me as if I could make everything better. I wish I could, because I hate to see him in any kind of discomfort. He seemed fine when I first got home, but after I put him out to do his business he had another back spasm. Not nearly as bad as the ones he had Monday morning, but not fun I'm sure. I gave him another steroid pill, though that throws off the Doc's plan a bit. She wanted me to give him two a day for two days, then one a day for two days, and then one every other day for four days.
When I had Max at the vet I asked if she could give me some tranquilizers, as Max is fairly high strung. She gave me four, with instructions to give half a pill at a time no more than twice a day. I gave him one this morning, and I'm guessing that is why he's zonked right now. I'll give him another before I go to work tonight, but hold off on the steroid until morning. The tranquilizer may do him as much good as the steroid, if it makes him sleep.
Funny thing, though. Normally Max will snarf down any kind of human food I offer him. This morning he refused to take it. Maybe he knew it had his medicine in it, but I doubt it. I think he was in too much pain to be hungry. But when I put the pill laden food on a plate and set it on the floor, he wolfed it right down.
3 comments:
Poor Max - he is too old to be jumping on and off your bed, no wonder he hurt himself. Perhaps it is time for you to build him some kind of ramp he can use to get on and off the bed?
Chris built him some steps, and I bought another set a Petco, but he won't use them. Chris and I tried to train him (though maybe we gave up too soon) without luck. Probably what I'll have to do is get him a nice bed and put in my room, so he can be near me if he wants.
It sounds like Max is getting better medical care than lots of humans do! Having to guess what's causing the pain can be frustrating for all concerned. The vet seems concerned about possible dependency on meds. I didn't know that that can be an issue with animals!
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