Quote Originally Posted by cyber-sibes
Friday, 10 pm...
We've just returned from admitting Sherman to the emergency vet hospital (Ocean State, here in RI). He is resting in an oxygen cage and will remain there for a day or two till they figure out whats going on. He'll have full ultrasounds of his chest & abdomen tomorrow, have his lungs biopsied.
His vet here sent all his test results, xrays, & aspirated lung fluid with us. The emergency vet reviewed everything & went over the xrays with an internist. She said she saw tons of cases of fungal infections where she trained & worked in Virginia (Ohio River Valley basin) & feels very strongly that that is probably what's going on, even though the initial tests came back negative. We are hoping she's right, because she said the next most probable possibility is that he has cancer masses in his lungs & abdomen. whatever it is, she said he's a mystery/conundrum at the moment, with a very odd set of symptoms.
We've always known Sherman was a unique individual. (Trying hard for a little levity here, it's kind of tough right now.)
Their primary concern is to get a good diagnosis asap. What to do about it won't even be discussed till then. She did say that she thinks the oxygen will help him feel better quickly. Poor guy was sucking air for all he was worth, so winded he could barley function.

Thank you all for your support & prayers, it looks like it's going to be difficult for a while yet.

You definitely did the right thing admitting him - this way he can receive round the clock supportive care, and will have professionals figuring out exactly what is wrong with him, and what will make him better the fastest.

I'm so sorry that you're going through this. I know how it feels, and I wish I could give you a big hug and tell you that Sherm will be home again soon - I guess I'll just type it instead He's lucky to have you as his Mommy, and lucky to have a family who takes such great care of him. The oxygen will help a lot, and I'm sure they'll have him on sub-q fluids to perk him up a bit and help him fight the infection.

Do you know what antibiotics they have him on right now? Was the trachea wash successful and they were able to get a good sample from his lungs? That's the best thing they can do right now, is culture what was in there, see what grows on it, and prescribe the exact medicine to combat whatever specific bacteria it is.

I hope they figure out why your precious boy isn't feeling well soon and that he can be home with you quickly, back where he belongs. ((hugs))

Me and my animals are all praying for you.