Benard is acting somewhat better today, but no real recovery. I've found a speciality referral clinic in town, will take him there Monday if no real improvement. why wait that long? Can't get an appointment until then, in the meantime, there's the good old ER!

But some great news! We do have insurance on Benard! We carried VPI for about 2 years, then decided to cancel it as part of our budget cutbacks. Well, apparently it was a clerical error, but he still has insurance. yes, I know, it doesn't pay the whole bill, our experience has been dissappointing in the past with what VPI actually pays, but its better than footing the whole bill.

Its sad when medical decisions are based in part on finances, but that's the reality of life. But its a balancing act, we would never let Benard suffer and would always seek the best care possible for the circumstances. Sometimes, its truly not a matter of money, anyways. We had a cat with cancer, spent about $6000 trying to save her, in the end the cancer got her, we had her PTS, I really think we went too far trying to treat her, she suffered too much. Our finances were different then, too. But it all comes down to a quality of life. I'd much rather take care of my pets than buy myself some useless luxury, anyways.

Benard acts somewhat better today. He does walk all over the house, but with difficulty. He continues to walk and flop, at times supports himself along the wall. Its heartbreaking to watch him struggle to his litter box, he's determined to use "his" box, not the convenient, shallow pan we've provided for him in the bathroom. He still has his pride and dignity. I stayed up with him all night last night, just kept him in my office with food, water, litter, he still insists on going to his familiar food, water and litterplaces. Its pitiful to watch him struggle, we keep trying to make it easy for him, but he's got his dignity.

Whatever this is, it isn't thyroid. A friend of mine has hyperthyroid, and she doesn't walk like that!