Hammer.
12-Aug-04
Hammer’s right rear foot swelled up last night. By 4 AM, he could not walk. His right leg is the stronger of his two back legs, and his left just keeps folding underneath him when he tries to “tripod” around. Last time this happened, it was his left leg, and he could hobble around on a cast/splint without too much hassle. This time, I don’t think his left leg is strong enough to hobble with a splint.
Took him to the vet this morning. We declined X-Rays, figuring it’s another infection, possibly sepsis (maybe from his teeth/gums). IV antibiotics today at the vet, more this week by mouth.
We’re close to the limit of his quality-of-life at this point. If he can’t walk, that’s the QoL issue that is really defining, for me. If he can’t walk in a day or so, I’m going to have to put him down. He hasn’t many days left, as John put it; at the very least, he can spend them walking and enjoying his life.
He’s also shown signs of withdrawing from us. Harry did, too, in the last weeks. I think it’s because he knows it’s near the end, and he’s preparing himself and us for it.
I was late to work, late for my meeting, late for my second meeting, and have to skip two non-work meetings tonight so I can pick Hammer up at the vet’s.
Oh, please don’t let me start bawling at work…..