Knightly Update

In case you haven’t heard, our dog, Knight, is in bad shape. We’re still not sure what’s wrong with him, but he’s been to the vet three times this month and his condition is deteriorating. It all started with, what the vet call, “drunk leg syndrome.” I called it “fishtailing.” Basically, whenever he went around corners (like around the couch or whatever) his hind legs would swing out wide. We watched him for a few days, and then he started showing genuine weakness in his hind legs (wouldn’t hop up and put his front paws on my chest). We took him to the vet, they checked some things and then the next day did some x-rays. The doctor couldn’t find anything, but said his symptoms were symbolic of pressure on his spine.

Well, now, two weeks later, his condition has severely degraded. The steroids he was given for the swelling in his spine have resulted in something far worse. The vet still doesn’t know what’s wrong, but he suspects a number of things. At the very least, there a good chance he has a couple of harsh infections, so Knight is now on a couple of different antibiotics. He still hasn’t ruled out lymphoma, which is really scary. As for his physical condition, he can barely stand and often can’t even do that. Tonight he couldn’t do any more than lay flat on his side and occasionally shuffle a couple feet around on the floor. He’s been panting and moaning a lot tonight, which is upsetting Ia, unfortunately. She’s been barking at him apparently.

Anyway, we’re really concerned about him now and we’re really hoping for the best. We’re hoping that the antibiotics will kick something out of him in the next day or so and then he’ll be standing and running around the house again. Cross your fingers and hope for the best. He’s a good dog, and doesn’t deserve this discomfort.

I know this entry is a bit splotchy, but right now I’m distracted, concerned, tired and my eyes are all googly. I really need to go back and complain about my glasses again.