Ke-ola is working hard to feel better

I was feeling sick last night so Kadante kindly slept with Ke-ola. He said that Ke-ola spent the night coughing. This morning when I opened his crate he just wagged his tail a bit but didn't try to get up. This is unusual because as he's been feeling better he can't wait to get out once the door is opened. It took me some coxing but he eventually got up he ate his food, went outside and took his meds but had little energy afterwords. His tail stayed tucked between his legs and his eyes didn't look very bright. His breathing seemed labored and he began to shake. I sat with him all morning with his head on my lap. I read him some Sacred Hawaiian Texts and Bible Verses. He was still as I read but once I finished he began to hack. I tried coupage yet wasn't able to help him gain a productive cough and his breathing became more labored.

Ke-ola not feeling the greatest today. He had us very concerned. 

I put him in his crate and watched him fall asleep. His body needs rest to heal. I hoped that with sleep he would regain some strength. I checked on him every 30 minutes for the next couple of ours and by noon rather than getting better he looked worse. I opened the crate and again he didn't move to get out. His breathing was still heavy and he would barely open his eyes when I pet him.

I called Pet Hospital in Orange, explained his symptoms and was told to bring him in to be seen right away. Because he is my foster dog and I.C.A.R.E. Dog Rescue is responsible for him, I needed to contact Corrie from I.C.A.R.E. to let her know what was happening. I feared not being able to contact the correct people at I.C.A.R.E. as it is Sunday and thought they'd be busy. Once again I.C.A.R.E. was amazing. Within minutes of my message Gabby had contacted me to see how she could help. I explained the situation and she told me to go take care of Ke-ola and she would contact Corrie. Before I could get out the door Corrie called me to offer her assistance and set everything up for us at the Pet Hospital.

Ke-ola asking Roland for affection

Ke-ola waiting for tests
at Pet Hospital

Once Roland (hubby) and I arrived at the vets Ke-ola seemed to go from a wilted flower to walking on his own and wagging his tail. I began to question my decision to bring him in. He suddenly looked much better than I'd seen him in hours. He had tail wags for one of his favorite nurse and kept asking Roland for attention. Needless to say, I felt like an overreactive first time foster. It wasn't until we were alone with Ke-ola in the exam room that he plopped down on a towel and became lethargic again.

Ke-ola is a precious boy.

Poor Ke-ola not feeling
his happy self.

He had more blood work done and another chest X-ray. One lung looked better the other worse so Dr. Wiatt changed his antibiotics and personally demonstrated the correct technique for canine coupage. I tried to record him while he performed the technique, as I have yet to find a good online video explanation. But sadly I didn't hold the record button which resulted in several out of focus photos. (I am sorry to my readers because Dr. Wiatt's explanation and demonstration were superb. I'll ask him if he'll do another one the next time I see him so I can share it with you.) Dr. Wiatt's technique was so good that as soon as we got home Ke-ola started to cough up foamy phlegm…a productive cough, hurray!

Ke-ola will also need to have digestive enzymes added to his food as we found that even feeding him 3 times a day, 3 times the normal amount, he has lost weight. Ke-ola has a followup visit next Sunday. I hope he'll have some weight-gain and his chest is less congested by then.

Wishing you and your pack Peace, today and everyday. Thank you for visiting.

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