12/26/17-01/02/18: pneumonia and ICU

In the week before Christmas, one of my regular boarding dogs arrived with a cough that had just started that morning. Terra developed nasal congestion on 12/25 and a mild cough on 12/27. On the evening of 12/30, she became lethargic and unresponsive to me talking to her and cajoling her to eat her dinner or go outside to potty. I took her to UC Davis. We had to take the scary elevator because she didn't have enough energy to climb the stairs. (Side note: who the fuck decided to put the emergency clinic on the second floor?) They found that she had a fever of 104.8 and pneumonia, and was not getting enough oxygen on her own. They started her on antibiotics. She spent the 31st on supplemental oxygen and an IV in the ICU. When I visited, she gave me a little tail wag but mostly kept her head down on the floor.

On the morning of January 1st, after 24 hours on antibiotics, she was doing much better. The supplemental oxygen was removed. She started eating the meatballs, cottage cheese, and rice that the staff offered her. (Though she did lose a little weight during her stay.) I was able to take her for a walk when I visited. She was moved from the ICU to an intermediate care ward.

They re-ran blood tests on the morning of January 2nd and confirmed that she was well enough to come home. She will be on antibiotics for at least 2 weeks and has an appointment to get a chest x-ray at our regular vet's on 1/12. No physical exertion (including running or playing) for 2 weeks. I guess we'll be doing a lot more nose work practice.

She ate her dinner with gusto but has spent all day sleeping, with a few half-hearted attempts at squeaking a toy or chewing on an old bone. Chimera was happy to see her and tried to get her to play, but she turned him down. She welcomed a thorough brushing and cuddle instead.

They told me that she had a fan club, which was no surprise. She's so mild mannered and cuddly that she makes friends everywhere she goes (note that all the staff, techs, and vets were women).