Tough Saturday

During our visit with Nelson today we noticed him a bit down, with less energy, and we've had reports of him vomiting throughout the day. His doctor has taken him off the IV antibiotic, as it's probably upsetting Nelson's stomach (there is now a near-zero chance he's got any kind of infection, anyway). He's also upping Nelson's steroid level, so we are hoping the pup will be feeling better soon. He really hasn't kept anything down since his lung biopsy. His diagnosis is still completely open--they are only treating him with an anti-inflammatory regimen of prednisone that, we are hoping, will reduce the inflamed nodes in his lungs and tame what must surely be some out-of-whack immune disorder. This interpretation comes mainly from Nelson's regular vet, Dr. Reines, who has been researching ailments like Nelson's at the NIH. Dr. Reines' thinks that Nelson's immune system may simply be attacking its own body, much as diseases like Crohn's and lupus do in humans. Pretty much the last of the infectious tests came back negative today, a sophisticated staining technique for fungus done on a piece of Nelson's lung biopsy. So, because there is no infectious agent, and no cancer, Dr. Reines' interpretation is the only one that makes sense. The immunosuppression therapy (steroids) that Nelson is receiving now seems to be the only way to go. We are also looking into other hormone/supplement treatments that sound promising.

Now, a bit of good news! Nelson is now oxygenating well on his own and has been off the oxygen line all day. Keep your fingers crossed that the steroid regimen is doing its job, and that Nelson will be able to keep some food down.

Today's pic? A fun visit from older cousin Barky, when Nelson was just 7 months old (notice that very good SIT!). Nelson taught Barky, also a rescued mutt, how to play with toys.