Happy Sunday! I hope everyone is enjoying this first long weekend of "Summer". Our weather hasn't been the warmest but it will get better this week. We had a little bit of rain last night. It's cloudy with some sun in the forecast around noon.
We didn't do too much this past week. I haven't started on our planters yet, a first for me. Yesterday, I went to the garden centre and bought a few things. I may plant them today.
Our focus continues to be on Cooper. He is responding as he should to the furosemide which is good news. His resting respiratory rate (RRR) is now in the 18-22 range. As a result, our vet has reduced the dosage by 1/3 as of last night. We have to continue to monitor his RRR to make sure it doesn't go back up. If it does, we will increase the diuretic to its original dose. Cooper has his echocardiogram on Tuesday. Once the results are in, the cardiologist will be in a position to determine next steps.
The medication is starting to take a toll on the Coop's little body. He is more tired, his appetite has diminished and he has lost weight. For the first time in his adult life, he weighs less than 18 pounds. Those side effects are normal and have been shared with our vet, who continues to be in touch with us on a regular basis for updates. We got some blood work done on Friday to test his electrolytes, etc. The results are pretty normal although his potassium is a little down. This will all be taken into account after the echo.
Needless to say that the diuretic is resulting in many many trips outside for long pees. We almost have it down to a science during the night: 11 pm, 1:30 am, 4:30 am then 6:30 am when we get up. Cooper also drinks an enormous amount of water, also to be expected.
We have to smile when it's time to eat....the roles have been reversed. Spicy, who can be fussy, especially at breakfast, now devours her food. Cooper is the one who has become picky. We started adding soft food to his kibbles. He enjoys that. He won't lick Spicy's bowl clean. Spicy finishes her food well before Cooper and looks for more. Moments that we observe with mixed emotions.
Having said all this, Cooper has his crazy moments during the day. Face planting on the carpet. He lets us know when it's time for their 3 pm treat, which he thoroughly enjoys. They both love their daily snuffling episodes and we had a couple of nice walks last week. I also created a new maze and the Coop nailed it.
The highlight of our week was Cooper's 12th birthday on Wednesday. It was a day filled with the usual joy and love. He was happy to share his homemade pupcakes with the Spicy girl. He enjoyed his gift, the Carrot Patch. He thanks everyone who wished him Happy Birthday. He is blessed to be so loved 💝
That's my blog for today. Time for everyone's breakfast. I wish you all a great week!
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| Happy Birthday Cooper, a family moment to celebrate and remember! |
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| Cooper shares his pupcakes with his BFF, they both enjoyed. |
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| Cooper says I know something good is in that box, I can smell it. |
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| Happy 12th Birthday Cooper! |
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| Me and the Big Boy sharing a Birthday moment. |
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| Cooper enjoying a Birthday cuddle! |
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| Cooper, the 'carrot patch' destroyer... well done Birthday boy! |
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| The backyard apple trees in full bloom! |
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| Back deck planter looking awesome! |
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| Spicy and Cooper took time to smell the tulips on our walk at Edgewater Park. |
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