Urine sample shows traces of blood and tissue; Jazz is very dopey

Fiona called last night (Friday) to say that the urine sample didn't have any trace of infection in it, but there were traces of blood again, and bits of tissue which are probably bladder wall lining, so thinks that it will be worth trying the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (Metacam). To do this we'll need to reduce his Prednisolone over time from his current dose of 4.5 tablets every other day.

So the plan is:
Saturday, Monday, Wednesday 2.5 tablets
Friday, Sunday, Tuesday 1.5 tablets
Leave a few days, and then start the Metacam on the Friday. Any benefit should be apparent in 3-4 days.

I also asked her about his sluggishness / dopiness, and she said it's not an uncommon side-effect of the Vincristine (although, as ever, Jazz isn't "normal", as usually it tends to show up more when treatment starts, and gradually drop off). It shouldn't be anything to worry about unless it lasts more than 48 hours.

Later, he wasn't interested in food at all, except for the chicken that I mostly hand fed him.

He was still dopey this morning, and more alarmingly, his back legs seem weak and when I tried to give him his tablets (in what is usually "me, me, me, now!" meat paste), he really didn't want it. I did eventually manage to get him to take it, and rang the vet. Justin was on duty, and rushed off his feet. Anyway, when I finally spoke to him, he suggested that as long as Jazz isn't being sick, there's nothing to be gained by rushing him in - he COULD be admitted for the weekend for monitoring, but he'd probably be happier with us anyway of course.

If he's still like it on Monday, then I should take him in, and we'll take more blood to test his liver function (on the grounds that the extended reaction may be due to reduced liver function meaning that he's not metabolising the drug as well as before). Fiona walked into the surgery partway through the conversation (even though it's her weekend off!) and her main concern is to keep getting food into him, so I'll go and pick up some really slushy stuff that we can syringe into him if necessary.

In the meantime, he's so subdued that he's been happy to lie on his bed behind my desk all day and completely ignore all the customers that have been in the shop. He also hasn't been at all bothered any time I've needed to go out of his sight, which is most unlike him anywhere outside of home or his car cage. I have managed to hand feed him a bit more chicken though, so that's something, I suppose.

Looking back through the blog, I spotted Lynn's comment about the similarity to CDRM in his back legs from last time he went swimming. Must remember to mention that to Fiona.