This Thing Itches My Schnoz

Joey, Saturday morning, August 21, 2010

Nothing but more good news for your 'Long and Short of it All host!  Joey continues to mend after his surgery and post-op complications.  We went to visit him last night, and he was again fairly animated.  He was so overjoyed to get the lap again, which has been the center of the last few visits, along with reading him all his most recent comments and emails.  He just loves it.  His wonderful vet techs note that he spends most of his time in a deep sleep unless he has visitors.
He slept very well last night, so much so, that he appears to be in less pain, so they cut his fentanyl drip in half.  This morning they attached a fentanyl patch to his back, and will soon wean him off the drip completely.  They are also going to start weaning him off his oxygen, as his breathing is becoming fairly normal.  This couldn't come too soon for Joey because the tube in his nose and the stitches which attach the tube to his cheek are pretty darn itchy.  They are still restricting his activity though, so he hasn't got to sit out in the sun since Wednesday.  His vitals are all fairly normal. 
He also got to drink some water this afternoon - the first time in 48 hours.  We don't know today's status of his amylase/lipase values (which point towards his pancreatitis), but they must be pretty low if he was allowed to drink some water.  He may be offered some food today as well. 
Joey gets three visits from folks today - Dad came this morning, a friend came this afternoon, and Dad and a friend will be heading out soon for the evening visit.  He couldn't be happier - well, he'd be happier to be home, but hopefully that goal is coming soon. 

"No, really, my nose is super itchy."

Saturday afternoon snuggles with a friend