Pookey sneezed blood today. Took him to the vet. Ran the battery of blood tests, etc., and bottom line is it looks like he may have a tumor (their best guess without invasive tests, etc.) He started out fine this morning and he had a nose bleed and is currently breathing snuffly (like he is snoring almost). All of his blood work comes back fine, indicating not a cold, etc... We are treating initially for a sinus infection with an antibiotic, on the off chance it could be that, but everyone's gut says it is probably a tumor due to his age. If his blood/breathing doesn't improve in the next 24-48 hours, I'll start him on a steroid which should shrink the tumor that it likely is. I'll start him on a high dose then lower it gradually to an every-other-day deal. Stanley had what they thought was a brain tumor and took steroids for a couple years and it kept it under control with little side effect. Maybe Pookey will be lucky and steroids will help him. I won't let him suffer. I hope we can control it. This is kind of sudden with the vet mentioning a couple weeks ago how healthy he was for his age. A tumor wouldn't necessarily show on blood work (it still doesn't).

He seems OK right now, other than congested breathing.
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Tammy and Pookey
(Stanley 8/91 - 8/07)

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