Howard

[nightrainfalls]

I would do nothing to that blister. It may break at some point and it may prove to be fatal, but it is also possible that the antibiotics are working. If so, then as long as this blister remains intact, Howard has time for his badly abused body to repair itself. If the blister breaks and he has a large exposed region he will almost certainly die. This is probably why your vet has not been more aggressive with treatments. I certainly understand the people who suggested extremely aggressive treatment, including flushing and aspiration, but at this point, considering how weak Howard likely is, those interventions could easily result in the blister bursting and leaving poor Howard's insides exposed to the world. Of course this would be fatal. I suspect that your vet is correct in surmising that Howard's best hope is leaving the blister intact for as long as possible. At this point my only quibble with his treatment is the fact that a culture has not been done, so the antibiotics may or may not be correctly targeted at the infection.

Considering Howard's overall poor condition, any weight gain at all is a good sign. At this point, Howard's body is probably spending most of its energy on defeating the infection ravaging him and repairing the damage that has been done. His plateau could actually just mean that energy from food is being redirected towards repair of the injuries he has sustained due to the infection. I have been following the Howard posts since you first started posting, and I have been following his treatment, and hoping for the best, even while I expected the worst. I agree that Howard looks worse, but suspect that since the infection does not appear to be spreading anymore, he may actually have a chance. Many people might second guess the course of care he has received, but so far he is still alive and that is something that might not be true if he was treated differently. More aggressive treatment could easily have killed him faster.

I would not euthanize him at this point. He is clearly fighting to survive, and may still do just that. The worst may well be behind him. Of course if he does get worse, or if the blister breaks and his muscles are exposed, then yes you will have to Euthanize. Please understand that as dire as Howard's Condition is, your attempt to care for him and nurse him back to health is both brave and laudable. You have gone above and beyond, and no matter what happens, the last few months have been better for Howard than they would have been if you had not intervened. Of course, everyone in the hobby has lost animals, and every one of us knows how devastated you will feel if you and Howard loose this battle. Please know that even if Howard's health finally does fail, you and your Vet have done your best and so has Howard. That is all any one could ever ask.

If Howard makes it, every one of us will feel a portion of your joy. If he falters, then everyone of us will feel a portion of your grief. I know this is a paltry solace, but it is all I can offer at this point.

David