They are hospitalizing Mosby overnight for IV fluids. Generally they can't figure out what's wrong with him. His bloodwork was perfect again. There are no outward signs of problems with his abdomen. Pancreatitis ruled out. They took xrays of his lungs just to check them, and there was nothing visible on them to our family vet, although the oncologist will also review them (they are doing a good job of working together). The vet did find a blood spot on the incision, and he got a sample and is going to culture that; it did not look infected like the other spot did. And he generally has no signs of infection.

Apparently dogs can sometimes get really dehydrated going through this, but it won't really show up in their bloodwork, and IV fluids can perk them up and  make them feel better. So unfortunately he has to stay overnight for that, but hopefully it will help. Tomorrow morning, the vet will call me and either say he's better and I'll get to take him home, or I'll get to pick him up and take him to the other clinic because the oncologist will be in town tomorrow so she will look at him. So while there really isn't any good news, at least there wasn't bad bloodwork or something like that. I felt awful leaving him. He was very stressed out about it. But being at home wasn't helping, he didn't eat anything this morning and pushed my hand away when I tried to feed him a piece of chicken. 

Anyway, that is my update. This will be our first night without him since we brought him home from surgery. I am hoping that the IV fluids really help him and bring his hunger back. It seems odd to me that dehydration could cause that degree of lack of appetite, depression, and distress, but if that is all it is, then I won't complain. Just want him to feel good again!!!!!

Got a call from the vet clinic. They said Mosby is "hanging in there" (uh, hanging in there? Didn't think he was that bad.), ate the food they left him overnight (good boy), and is peeing and pooping fine. He hasn't been examined by the vet yet, vet will call after he looks at them. They will keep him on IV fluids through early afternoon, which makes sense, because then he'll have a full 24 hours of fluids (to Sally's wise point above). And then they'll call me to discuss next steps. 

So, continuing to think positive thoughts, and hoping I can bring him home later today, even if it may be after a visit to the onco. Today is his 9 year adoptiversary! Can't believe it's been 9 years!! When I first got him, he was so timid that he didn't understand what it meant when I held a treat out to him. He'd sort of hang his head and lie down submissively as if I were scolding him! Only if I put the treat up to his nose would he eat it. Since he seemed to do that submissive lie-down thing when you pointed at him, I decided to turn it into a trick with a reward, which is how he learned how to do the fake gunshot trick. And he always does it very slowly and dramatically, then looks up like "treat?" Have I mentioned he's a good boy? 

Vet called a little while ago and said Mosby ate again when offered food, has been peeing / pooping fine still, seems bright, and has been very "vocal," which is somewhat surprising because he's a very quiet dog! Vet thinks he's trying to tell them he's ready to leave. Sometimes he grouses if he's feeling opinionated about something, but this sounds more like the hound dog in him coming out. Hopefully it means he's feeling good! Anyway, they're going to check him one more time in a couple of hours, and then the vet will call me back, but all signs are pointing to me being able to pick him up and take him HOME at 3:00!!