Here's a photo of Phoebe last night. She seemed a bit stronger today, but she has still been doing a lot of head tilting and is still struggling a lot. They are going to take her in for the x-ray on Tuesday. Hopefully it isn't something too bad... thanks for all the vibes
Cilla, did the Vet rule out a small stroke?
The vet really hasn't ruled out anything. He did find a hole at the back of her mouth that he could stick a hemostat in. It's draining (sorry for the details here) and that's a good sign. He said the location is not good, behind her eye in an area that would impact her balance and where 12 different nerves pass through. He thinks the eye is from pressure on the nerves and she just can't open it. Her balance has clearly been effected, she walks like a drunken sailor. She also does this stiff head tilt thing that he said is not a good sign.
She is on antibiotics, but she has no fever and has a big appetite, so he doesn't think it's really an infection, but he wanted to keep her on it for a few more days. If she isn't better by Monday, (it would surprise me if she is), they are to call and he will do an x-ray on Tuesday. That would give him a better idea of what is going on and whether the very thin bones between the area where there is an abcess and her brain is intact and ok.
I asked him about a tumor and he hasn't ruled that out, but doesn't know yet. He was very good at explaining the details of where the problems are etc. I explained it to mom and dad a few times (mom was at the vet but didn't quite follow him) we watched how she acted and it all made sense.
She has had an incredible appetite Mom was using a bowl that she was having trouble navigating without both eyes, so I suggested a flat plate and it worked great. This morning she stood on her back legs without falling and was standing without tilting her head. We're hoping this is a good sign and that she will continue to improve. I really don't think they gave her the right amount of antibiotics before and I'm not sure she was able to eat as much as she needs to, so hopefully we're on the right track now.
