It was another big week last week.
George has regressed significantly over the last couple of weeks - more barking, more pacing, more intense reactions, harder to recover from reactions, and harder to settle.
Nothing obvious has happened to trigger this and it's been tough.
We had a very timely follow-up appointment with the VB and trainer. I am so grateful.
I always come away from the appointments feeling better. They get it, I feel heard and I am always reassured that there are plenty of other options to try.
I got a detailed behaviour report and a plan for the next steps.
We are now trialling Gabapentin and Loxicom (an anti-inflammatory) in addition to the Fluoxetine and Clonidine. 4 days in and so far no side effects. Maybe a very slight increase in calmness but hard to tell. George still doesn't have much of an appetite but that's not new unfortunately.
I am fortunate that we confirmed we can get x-rays and a full health check done at the vet clinic where the VB works.
It's a fear-free clinic so whilst my current vet is great and very understanding, things like ensuring I am there until he is asleep and can be there before he wakes up are done as a matter of course.
Plus the VB is female and he already knows her which is huge.
Before we do the full check, they recommended further work on cooperative care and happy visits to the vet clinic. Once he is ready, we will book in the sedation.
It feels good to have a plan. I was going to work with our current vet on happy visits etc but I feel like the VB and trainer know George (and importantly he knows them) so much better.
Here's to having a plan and hoping the new medications help.