“Quick decisions are unsafe decisions.”

So said Sophocles. But too slow a decision, or no decision is, of course, a decision in its own right.
Last Tuesday in my update on Hazel Of art, and science I wrote:

It seemed to make sense that until we had confirmation of whether or not Hazel had a lung fungal infection, for which taking Fluconazole would be an excellent course of action, we should pause in her dose until the results were in.

At 08:45 this morning we had to take Brandy in to Lincoln Road Clinic for his neutering operation (that we heard a short time ago has gone well with no complications – he will be collected in about an hour). Dr. Codd asked after Hazel and we said that she was brighter but still not eating sufficient for her to be taking her medications.

Dr. Codd then made the eminently sensible observation that by not having Hazel on her meds we were, of course, letting the fungal infection continue its damage.

In response to the query as to why a fungal infection from either Mexico or Arizona had taken so long to appear, Dr. Codd added more sense to the situation. Namely, that there was evidence that fungal infections can lay dormat for quite long periods of time. Possibly in Hazel’s case the trigger for the infection becoming active was the additional stress on Hazel’s body systems from her recently contracting an Ehrlichia Infection from a local tick.

The final element for the argument of not delaying any longer Hazel’s healing medications was that the titre results would only be a result of one particular ‘brand’ of fungal infection. Dr. Codd said that it may well have been one of many other fungal infections that took hold of Hazel’s lungs.

So the decision was made to try Hazel on an oral anti-nausea med that would be much easier to administer. It is Ondansetron Orally. Also to cut down the dosage of the Fluconazole so that it doesn’t dampen Hazel’s appetite for food, a known side effect of Fluconazole, in quite such a dramatic fashion. (Note: Fluconazole is the least appetite suppressant compared to alternatives.)

So there we are.

We hang on to the fact that Hazel is still with us and coping with what is ailing her, albeit with a heightened stomach sensitivity that is complicating eating. Time is on our side.

A thousand thanks to all of you that have shown so much love and concern for our dear hazel.

Dear people, I must add this:
CAUTION: The following is offered by way of information reaching out to other loving dog owners. Please do not assume I have any specialist veterinarian knowledge and please do not take the following as a replacement for seeing your own vet.

Finally, Mike Shannon is my guest blogger with a lovely post for Earth Day 2016 that will be published in a little under 10 hours time. That is why this post has been published now.