Quote: Sheila Buckley

On the bright side you did not overreact . And you most definitely did not under react. Seriously, I would have opted for my own vet too for all the reasons you did but changed your mind when Oscar presented more symptoms. I think more comfortable tonight and his own vet tomorrow is the best choice.

Does he seem more comfortable now?

Thank you Sheila, those are comforting words. I know I'M feeling better after at least a preliminary professional's opinion - Oscar was a little woozy after the IV and pain med, but once we got home he hopped out of the car and marched straight off to pee. His digestive system has been a bit out of whack the last 24 hours, and he squatted in the bushes for a little while too, but once he was done, he literally raced back across the yard and gave me a little dance when he got to me, so I think the treatment is working to some degree.

I forgot to mention, the reason they didn't prescribe antibiotics tonight was to prevent skewing of any possible cultures that the vet tomorrow might want to do to determine the cause of the fever. Since we're only one night away from our appointment tomorrow, they thought we could hold off till then.

Oscar is back in front of the woodstove, with a little pink bandage around his foreleg where they had the IV. I don't think I'll have any trouble getting up bright and early to pack up the car and head out tomorrow... I'll update again after we see the vet in MA.

~N

A little happy dance for his mom is very encouraging.

 Quote: Betty Landercasp

What is their diagnosis? I just looked at my computer. Did they draw blood?

Hi Betty, no blood this evening, and my previous post addressed the lack of antibiotics just for the night. We have an appointment at 11:40 tomorrow morning at one of the best hospitals in the Boston area, so whatever needs doing to make a proper diagnosis and start real treatment will be done at that time. The facility we just returned from is sort of a last resort for after hours emergencies - they don't offer a full range of services and said they don't do bacterial cultures anyway, so they'd withhold antibiotics until another vet could take a more thorough look even if we weren't from out of state, unless it was a dire case, and I guess they were comfortable enough to tell us to wait for our home vet to do his/her workups.

Do you have any contrary/alternate thoughts on the matter? I'd love your opinion...

~N

Sending healing thoughts and wishes for Oscar.
I hope tomorrow goes smoothly for you both and that it is something minor with the tooth.
Give that handsome boy a big hug for me Natalya!

I'm glad that he's had fluids and fever reducing agents, and that he's headed for
a quality outfit tomorrow. If the vet thought he was in desperate state they would not have let you take him home. Plus,
he sounds like he's still full of beans, always a good sign. He's a big fellow, in good shape, he should have plenty of reserve to make a recovery.
Oscar is one of my favorite forum guys, he looks like a character, I wish you
the both the best.
Let your internet pals know what happens tomorrow. We'll be watching!

I'm looking forward to good news on the Oscar front.

Dr. Betty is right, he is a forum favorite. (as is his Mom.)

Ditto!

Going out to do cow things. Please post re-Oscar when you can. His fan club is
rooting for him!

Waiting with fingers crossed in the hope all news is good....

Yep, me too! Just signed on to check on the big guy. All paws crossed.