We are back from the vet. Well there is good news, bad news and were not sure news

The bad - Ripley has a grade 2 heart murmur. My vet did not hear this 6 months ago. For now since it's just a grade 2 we are going to watch and see.

The good - Ripley hasn't lost any weight, he's actually gained an ounce so she was very pleased with that. She didn't feel his kidney failure has worsened so hopefully we are status quo on that.

The not sure - his abdomen did seem even harder to her but when she was able to really dig in and feel she didn't feel any masses but then he would tense up his muscle and pop her fingers back out. So, she thinks what we are feeling are his muscle bands tightened but she is concerned he is keeping them tense and tight because something might not feel right. For now she wants to continue watching and if I notice anything changes she'll get an x-ray.

Basically she said we should just keep him comfortable and happy with supportive care for now. She said at his age she feels trying to do a lot of tests and diagnostics may just aggrevate his conditions. I feel good with that decision and agree 100%.

They also showed me how to give the sub-q fluids and she wants me to do it every 2-4 weeks as needed.

So for now my old boy is loaded up with fluids and resting on the bed. After seeing the angry glint in his eye when they gave him the fluids I knew he still has his fighting spirit and isn't giving up any time soon.