Thank you!!!
Here's the update - vet did x-ray. Oy! So, the lasix we used for his bad breathing the other day was the right choice - but I need to do much more. His pleural surroundings in his right lung (previous pleural effusion, and tumor in that lung) are FILLED with fluid. The lasix clearly emptied a small area from which he can now get air in that lung, but it's really really full - can't even see the tumor. The right lung is reasonably okay, so that's what he's using to breathe. No WONDER he's stressed and breathing shallowly!
BUT - the lasix ALSO caused constipation - bad constipation. I've been watching it start for a few days, and took measures, but again, apparently insufficient. His IBD just is such a teeter-totter on this. His colon is jammed, and his bowels are 70% filled with hard, dry poop. He'd had a good poop a few days ago, and this has been increasing since then. It was weird, 'cause the poops were forced, but not hard, they were creamy and tiny. Apparently that's what he could get out.
Right now, he's getting an enema (thank goodness they can do this without anesthesia - although Eegie's stress level is going to be astronomical from it. That'll clear the bowels, but not the colon too well. So, we're starting Lactulose and changing the med regimen to focus on bulking but also softening poop. We hope the clearing of the bowel will let the colon move along. I was terrified of megacolon, but that doesn't seem to be the case here...... yet - thank goodness!
Eegie's going to be SO PISSED OFF! I don't blame him - but I think this may help.... I hope.
