Thanks, you guys, for the comforting words. It means a lot to me.
Kitty update: Chez has his x-ray this morning--probably as I type this. The vet said she'd call me back within the next 45 minutes or so with the results. He's having a little trouble breathing today, which they warned me was probably going to happen, so he's had an injection to help that. She said that he seems to be in less pain, due to the transdermal pain patch they put on him, he's been moving around some, and he even sat up today, but his back legs are still stiff. The newest problem seems to be his kidneys and the possibility that they're not working correctly. If he doesn't (ahem) pee again by a certain time, she wants to do a mini-scan of his kidneys to see if they're functioning. She suggested I could take him to a neural specialist if I wanted, but there's no way I can afford to do that. I'm already having to borrow money from my mom to pay for what they're able to do for him now. I can't ask her to do more.
So...as it stands right now, if his neck and spinal cord appear undamaged, the steroids will continue until at least tomorrow. If the steroids don't help, and/or if his kidneys quit working...well, as the vet said, I have to consider what his quality and potential length of life would be, and then we come to the decision that I won't be able to make on my own.
Kitty update: Chez has his x-ray this morning--probably as I type this. The vet said she'd call me back within the next 45 minutes or so with the results. He's having a little trouble breathing today, which they warned me was probably going to happen, so he's had an injection to help that. She said that he seems to be in less pain, due to the transdermal pain patch they put on him, he's been moving around some, and he even sat up today, but his back legs are still stiff. The newest problem seems to be his kidneys and the possibility that they're not working correctly. If he doesn't (ahem) pee again by a certain time, she wants to do a mini-scan of his kidneys to see if they're functioning. She suggested I could take him to a neural specialist if I wanted, but there's no way I can afford to do that. I'm already having to borrow money from my mom to pay for what they're able to do for him now. I can't ask her to do more.
So...as it stands right now, if his neck and spinal cord appear undamaged, the steroids will continue until at least tomorrow. If the steroids don't help, and/or if his kidneys quit working...well, as the vet said, I have to consider what his quality and potential length of life would be, and then we come to the decision that I won't be able to make on my own.
for luck!