Thread: Bruce's not such a happy 9th birthday....

Only just caught up with this thread - so sorry to hear about your beautiful boy Bruce - I'm glad to also read he is picking up again. I know what you mean about getting excited about them eating. My dog went 2 months without eating (liver problems) and I watched as she grew thinner and thinner by the day - if every I got her to eat the smallest thing I would ring around all my family and friends cos I was so thrilled. She lost 7kg in weight in that time and was like a walking skeleton but now she is eating again and has put all her weight back on - it was wonderful to see her eating and I kept feeding her until she was fit to burst everyday. Sorry gone off track a bit.. My love to Bruce and may he be back to his normal self asap x

Oh poor Bruce, and poor you. Its so awful when animals are ill because they don't understand what is happening, and so difficult for you too, I always feel so helpless but with your knowledge and experience I am sure Bruce couldn't get better care anywhere. Positive thought waves winging your direction from us

I'm sorry Bruce has been poorly. How is he doing now? He is such a handsome boy. Hope he makes a full recovery fast.

Originally Posted by candes

Is he doing any better now?

Still having ups & downs but ups seem to be lasting a bit longer thanks.
He is eating slightly better,the wobbles have just about disappeared so think the steroid is doing its work there but the eye still has the third eyelid over more often than not,when it receeds & looks just about normal I start getting all excited but of course the crunch time is going to come when medication stops but the fact we are getting a pretty good response is making me feel more hopeful.
He knows when it is tablet time & just comes & sits on my lap so I can give them too him, he is so good at being medicated & you just hope its all to a good ending,have to admit to having a few tears as we have our cuddles & extra kisses behind the ears......
Thanks for all his continuing get well wishes & interest,if he doesn't go the wrong way beforehand he is due to see the vet on Wednesday night so will post how he gets on then,just hope work is all good news for the next few days or I could be weeping bundle with the clients,when you have problems with one of your own it seems to be a downside coping with the job.....x

Ohhh Jackie that sounds promising though doesn't it, small improvements every day. What a good boy with taking his medication, it's almost like he knows it's doing him good. Now what's worrying me is Mum, so this post is especially for you so big hugs for you too ! Alison x

Originally Posted by harrymc

Ohhh Jackie that sounds promising though doesn't it, small improvements every day. What a good boy with taking his medication, it's almost like he knows it's doing him good. Now what's worrying me is Mum, so this post is especially for you so big hugs for you too ! Alison x

Thanks Alison & yes it does seem more promising,have been a bit wimpy but did manage to sleep fairly last night,first time since this kicked off so hopefully a decent night again will make things not seem so bad,mum & dad came over Friday & they both cried when they saw him so that started me off once again,Shimba keeps coming to give us both some furry support but he is not so in Bruce's face today so if that is anything like Bruce was when Pansy had that bad turn it should be a sign that he is picking up that things are heading the right way...x

How embarassing,we over ran our appointment by 20 minutes so had to apologise to clients waiting to see the vet...
When we went into the consult room the vet had a very strong magnifying glass out checking Bruces xray,the OA in the hips is very obvious but the last disc in his back has spondylosis & the spur that has formed has a hairline fracture in it so accounts for that end being very painful,because he has been all wobbly & walking like a crab his spine higher up was all twisted again but a bit of chiro sorted that out .When we went in his right eye looked perfect,all his pupil reflexes were fine but his head was tilting a fair bit again,the vet done several tests to see what his nerve reaction was,I think Bruce wondeerd why he had one side of his mouth touched,then the other,one whisker tweaked then the equivalant the other side & each time he done it the once the vet then done it again for me to look & everything he done the good left side the response was exactly the same the right side which was brilliant, the vet is pretty sure it is a middle ear infection that is causing the Horners syndrome,while Bruce was out under the anaesthetic we cleaned his ears out,the cleaner contains alcohol,that in turn irritates a middle ear infection,last lot of ab's haven't worked,his ear is still very irritated & really needs ab drops but because he is so sensitive daren't so he is now on lot stronger ab's for a week & hopefully can start drops after that,steroids have been stopped & he is just on Metacam every other day to hopefully keep any discomfort at bay but have got steroids on stand by in case he reverts & needs them instead of Metacam,we have come home a lot happier but poor Bruce since having his ear checked has now ended up with the third eyelid right over again,at the moment he is sleeping his visit off but he did allow Shimba to have a kiss without getting moaned at so now feeling a lot more positive about everything.
Thanks everyone for the good vibes, wishes & being there for us,will update again in a couple of weeks providing everything keeps going the right way & best purrs from Bruciee...x

I'm so glad you're feeling more positive

Originally Posted by jckkerrison

How embarassing,we over ran our appointment by 20 minutes so had to apologise to clients waiting to see the vet...
When we went into the consult room the vet had a very strong magnifying glass out checking Bruces xray,the OA in the hips is very obvious but the last disc in his back has spondylosis & the spur that has formed has a hairline fracture in it so accounts for that end being very painful,because he has been all wobbly & walking like a crab his spine higher up was all twisted again but a bit of chiro sorted that out .When we went in his right eye looked perfect,all his pupil reflexes were fine but his head was tilting a fair bit again,the vet done several tests to see what his nerve reaction was,I think Bruce wondeerd why he had one side of his mouth touched,then the other,one whisker tweaked then the equivalant the other side & each time he done it the once the vet then done it again for me to look & everything he done the good left side the response was exactly the same the right side which was brilliant, the vet is pretty sure it is a middle ear infection that is causing the Horners syndrome,while Bruce was out under the anaesthetic we cleaned his ears out,the cleaner contains alcohol,that in turn irritates a middle ear infection,last lot of ab's haven't worked,his ear is still very irritated & really needs ab drops but because he is so sensitive daren't so he is now on lot stronger ab's for a week & hopefully can start drops after that,steroids have been stopped & he is just on Metacam every other day to hopefully keep any discomfort at bay but have got steroids on stand by in case he reverts & needs them instead of Metacam,we have come home a lot happier but poor Bruce since having his ear checked has now ended up with the third eyelid right over again,at the moment he is sleeping his visit off but he did allow Shimba to have a kiss without getting moaned at so now feeling a lot more positive about everything.
Thanks everyone for the good vibes, wishes & being there for us,will update again in a couple of weeks providing everything keeps going the right way & best purrs from Bruciee...x

Sounds like a little more good news, then - at least now you know what's causing the Horners. Hugs and licks from me and the girls again, keep us all posted xx