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Back from the vet’s. More oxygen tent at home for Hobkin tonight, and the vet gave us a handful of medicines to administer orally: furosemide (Lasix), prednisolone, and amoxicillin. I was concerned about how well he’d take the first two as they’re pills, and we’ve never given him pills before. But crushed up in a little whipped cream, and they went down as a nummy treat.

He’s definitely on the mend–a world of hurray–but still not out of danger and still needing intensive care round-the-clock. And we have to go back tomorrow morning for more tests.

Think I’ve managed to catch about four hours of sleep in dozing catnaps in the last two days. Mental faculties blunter than a butter knife right now. But the relief that the lil guy is continuing to get better is indescribable.

We’re back at the vet’s. Hobkin is in his oxygen box, and we’re waiting to consult with the doctor.

The lil guy stayed stable throughout the night so we didn’t need to rush him to the emergency vet. Much relief there. He’s still breathing too hard, but his appetite was quite good. We fed him anytime he exhibited any interest in eating. Since he doesn’t drink water, he gets all of his liquids through his food, and we need to make sure he stays hydrated–Lasix being a diuretic especially. Want to avoid having to administer subcutaneous fluids, if possible. But it meant small meals every hour and a half or so. fosteronfilm and I are utterly wiped.

End of a long night; beginning of a long day.

Thank you to everyone for all the well wishes and supportive comments. They’re very much appreciated.

We didn’t end up taking Hobkin to Athens. Our vet got him stabilized in an oxygen box with periodic Albuterol treatments and gave him a Lasix injection to decrease the fluid in his lungs, but Hobkin refused to eat anything at the vet’s all day. However, when I got there, I managed to coax him to eat a decent-sized (and messy) meal from my hands; the trade-off between overnight veterinary care versus him stressing out and not eating with strangers wasn’t a good one. So he’s at home now in a makeshift oxygen tent. fosteronfilm and I are watching him in shifts tonight. If Hobkin gets worse, we’ll be rushing him to the emergency vet/critical care clinic which has been alerted to expect us. First thing tomorrow, we’re taking him back to our vet’s for another Lasix injection and another day of observation in the oxygen box.

I’m cautiously optimistic, but it’s still definitely touch and go. And it’s going to be a long night.

Heard back from fosteronfilm and the vet. Hobkin has pneumonia, and the vet described it as “bad.” Our vet isn’t a 24-hour clinic—their staff goes home at night—and Hobkin needs 24-hour care. They recommended that we take him to the University of Athens Veterinary Department.

Worried about Hobkin. Noticed the lil guy was breathing quite hard last night—almost panting but not quite—and when I put my ear against his chest, I could hear a tiny squeak, like really quiet whining. But his appetite was good, so we didn’t call the emergency vet.

This morning he was still breathing too hard and he was wheezing slightly. It’s probably just a cold, but I’m having fosteronfilm take him to the vet today.